Episode One - "Bridge Over Troubled Water"

On-Duty posts of the USS Firewall crew.

Re: Episode One - "Bridge Over Troubled Water"

Postby sail3695 » Mon Jul 25, 2011 5:36 pm

Lt. jg Jan von Tiessen
Operations, USS Firewall

Words flew through the air. Words, whispered in a threatening tone, while still conveying an allure. Vulcan words; of their meaning, Jan hadn't an inkling. He knew that his commbadge had succumbed to the pressure of Sa'Ra's knee smashing him firmly to the deck. Jan had heard the crunch, sounding very much like the demise of a fat beetle or Madagascar cockroach, signalling the end of communications, and the loss of the universal translator.
Sa'Ra's body pressed to his, her lithe form communicating dominance, power, the sheer force of want. A hand, powerful as a vice, gripped it's fill of his hair, lifting his head from the deck, pulling the neck back until he feared it might snap. Words flowed into his ear, their accompanying breath hot to the touch. "I can wait no longer now that the fires of Pon Farr have been ignited."

"Pon fa..." was all he managed to gasp. In a moment of blinding pain, Jan found himself hauled to his feet, every hair on the back of his head screaming in agony as they propelled him upward. With a rough jerk of Jan's head, Sa Ra's voice touched again, her lips brushing his left ear. He felt vaguely terrified, and also strangely excited..

"Kiv tehnau fa-wak stau nash-veh du."

There was barely time to lift his arms in defense before he crashed into the bulkhead, shattering the framed artwork which sent glass shards tinkling to the deck. Jan collapsed to one knee, his mind spinning. "The door is sealed, my commbadge is smashed," he thought. "The LCARS..." Jan leapt to his feet, adopting a trained fighting stance, a mouse attempting to ward off the circling cat. Sa'Ra moved with malevolent grace, her eyes fixed firmly upon her prey. She was feral, predatory, beautiful in the way of all deadly things... "Sa'Ra," Jan gasped, "I don't want to hurt you..." She'd circled, teasing him, backing him toward a corner. The LCARS system beckoned from across the space. He'd have to lunge for it, leap the arm of the sofa, bolt over the coffee table. Fixing himself to jump, Jan feinted left, then attempted to leap to his right, aiming a distracting blow at Sa'Ra as he went, realizing only too late that she'd anticipated his every move...

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Re: Episode One - "Bridge Over Troubled Water"

Postby Sonja Kinnunen » Mon Jul 25, 2011 9:11 pm

Ensign Sonja Kinnunen
Chief Infiltration Officer
U.S.S. Firewall, Bridge

For the past three hours, Ensign Sonja Kinnunen, Chief Infiltrator Officer, had taken up residence on the left-side of the bridge. She leaned back against the bulkhead and kept out of the way through the duration of their 'escort.' A long time since she'd had the rest of the team stand down and resume fast-ready status. No need for them to be sitting down there in the proverbial dark for a mission that probably wasn't coming all suited up. At the same time, their "hosts" had yet to prove themselves allies rather than friends of convenience.

Personally, Sonja wanted to see this temporal rift these people lived under. Hopefully these people would be as reasonable as the Bajorans had been in the Federation's first years with them. Even when the Bajoran Wormhole was found their belief there was future information glean from it was hard fought to gain any acceptance; most still doubted its role in past, current, or future events. As for this rift... could just as easily be an inter-dimension one as temporal. Hadn't their friendly, new Captain friend professed to be expecting a different ship?

Part of her interest was what kept her on the bridge. The other part was simply watching the crew. Why should she be the only one locked away in some secluded part of the ship people couldn't just "drop by" on? Besides, her superior officer seemed to be filling a vacant role presently and this presented a unique opportunity to study the woman. Sonja hadn't been an effective member of Starfleet Intelligence because she only did the immediate job at hand. Everything was important; somethings were simply more applicable toward the present task.

Another Ensign, Drake, responded to the good Lieutenant's order to go to Yellow Alert. His voice was unfamiliar and had drawn Sonja's electrifying, blue eyes. Her gaze lingered a moment, reading something in the way he held himself, before it swung back toward the center of the room as Marayna called for the Captain's presence. It would seem their adventure was to begin its next leg. "Stay ahead of the wind," Kinnunen breathed.
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Re: Episode One - "Bridge Over Troubled Water"

Postby Mia Cummings » Mon Jul 25, 2011 11:27 pm

Lt JG Sa'Ra
Helm Officer
USS Firewall

Sa'Ra let go of Jan as he dropped to one knee and stepped back defensively as he spun yo face her and got back to his feet. Her eyes watched his every move, the hunger of the Pon Farr growing within her. She had allowed him to move away from the wall, but kept him closed into the corner. A small hungry smile played on her lips as she waited to make her move on him.

"Sa'Ra," Jan gasped, "I don't want to hurt you..."

She could tell he was looking for an escape route and that knowledge only heightened her senses. She could hear the quickening of his heart, his breath and every tiny rustle of his uniform as his tensed in preparation. Sa'Ra saw the feint for what it was and was ready for him when he made his move. She ducked under his blow and grabbed his arm, pulling him off balance. Facing him again she had a grin on her face that was not friendly as she backhanded him across his face. She found a primal satisfaction seeing the blood start to fall from his now split lip. "You will submit.." She said as she swung her leg and swept Jan's feet out from under him.

He was now laying on his back and she quickly moved in. She whispered as she pinned him once more. "t'nash-veh kashe dungi- mat kashek, sa-telsu," (My mind to your Mind, Husband) she said as her hand moved towards the side of his face.. "You must not resist." She said as she moved closer.. "we must bond.."

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Re: Episode One - "Bridge Over Troubled Water"

Postby sail3695 » Tue Jul 26, 2011 2:16 pm

Lt. jg Jan von Tiessen
Operations, USS Firewall

At first, he'd flown through the air, lashing out at the woman to force a quick withdrawal, buying him the precious half half second he'd need to drop, roll, and spring toward the LCARS for a chance to get help. When his flight suddenly changed course, Jan knew that Sa'Ra had bested him once more. A hand gripped his forearm, nearly dislocating it from his shoulder as she spun him before her. Jan staggered to his feet, attempting to pull free of the iron grip, mindful of the savage grin which formed upon a face that rarely betrayed emotion. Until the first blow landed, Jan had never understood the meaning of the old phrase "seeing stars." Sarah struck him with such force, that he felt certain he'd have collapsed on his own, had she not assisted him by kicking the wobbling legs out from under him. "You will submit..."

Jan fell heavily, shattering the glass coffee table as he landed on his back. "Safety glass, thank god," the operations officer within had just a moment to think of the shards which crumbled into sand as he struggled among them. And then, she was on him. Sa'Ra straddled the hapless Jan, one hand forcing his head onto the debris of the table, fingers splayed across his jaw and temple. He twisted beneath her, right hand striking out to pummel her, before the Vulcan woman cleanly intercepted the open handed blow. The bones of his right palm snapped like dry twigs, causing him to cry out in pain and a rising passion of anger.

"t'nash-veh kashe dungi- mat kashek, sa-telsu," she said, her voice hoarse with a need that sounded a chord within him, a chord of desire suddenly dashed by the juggernaut of her mind, forcing herself inside his. He had no way to defend; he didn't even know how. "My mind to your Mind, Husband. You must not resist. We must bond." Her mind penetrated his, seemingly unstoppable; he'd never felt such a violation before. So caught up with this assault was Jan that he'd barely noticed the sound of fabric tearing, cool air touching his skin, or the sudden warmth of Sa' Ra's flesh meeting his own. She was preparing to take his body, even as she set upon the last vestiges of his mind.

"She'll see....she'll know...." came the thought, panic upon panic as every one of Jan's darkest personal secrets, his doubts, traumas, neuroses, and the black musings no one ever dared share all threatened to be exposed to the mind which bludgeoned it's way into his own. "My mind," he thought, anger welling in animal force as he glared upon his attacker. "My..........MIND!" He lashed out once more. This time, the balled left fist struck home, landing a blow upon Sa'Ra's jaw. Her head spun briefly, the meld wavering but for a moment as she fixed him again with a powerful focus. Another blow crashed into the side of his head, a jackhammer that seemed to take with it the last of his will to fight. He licked his lips, tasting blood, raising a weak hand to push, grab at her, resist....

"You must not resist."

His hand landed upon her bare shoulder, the touch a mixture of supplication and curiosity borne of a concealed desire. "She's in," he thought, his mind a witness as Sa'Ra's seemed to become one with all that he was. Fear, the thought that she now knew all of his deepest secrets, seemed to ebb, with the realization that her mind was open to him as well. He saw her....became her...joined with her.

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Re: Episode One - "Bridge Over Troubled Water"

Postby Mia Cummings » Wed Jul 27, 2011 8:45 pm

Lt. jg Jan von Tiessen
Operations, USS Firewall

&
LtJG Sa'Ra
Helm, USS Firewall


Sa'Ra had probed into his mind, and had been momentarily pushed back by both his thoughts and the fist that connected with her face. She felt his rage, his fears and his needs as strongly as she felt her own. Her hand struck across his face once more and she pressed her hand back in place.

She had no cognizant recollection of how or when their clothing was torn, she only knew her need to touch, to feel, was overpowering. She shook her head slightly and the pressed her hand harder against his face, pushing him down, paying no heed to the rubble they were lying in. Pieces of what used to be the coffee table dug into her knees as she leaned closer to Jan. The slight pain only adding to her already heightened needs. His mind fought to keep her out, but hers was stronger and soon she had brought down that barrier as well and their thoughts and needs were now shared, two minds as one. "Dakh pthak,(Cast out fear) My Mate. We are as one mind" She finished her statement by bringing her lips to his hungrily.

"Not a violation," Jan thought, "a welcoming." Sa'Ra's lips pressed to his, coaxing a response which he soon found himself offering with a building fervor. His undamaged hand glided down the the skin of her back, feeling the gentle rises of her ribs as he drew her close. Spirit, mind, sex, closeness, the power of logic, the dawn of emotion, all traveled between them as their minds and bodies moved as one. She saw him......and he was unafraid.

Sa'Ra had never bonded with another person and the freedom of emotions was exhilarating. Feeling what Jan felt, his emotions so strong, pulling her, welcoming her mind to caress his even as his reached into her mind to find her own hidden places and set them free. There was no longer a need for speech. Their thoughts and memories flowed freely. She saw that which he had struggled in shame and fear to hide. Somewhere she felt him touch her own feelings of shame. In her thoughts she spoke to him. ~We are the same, two minds as one mind, free to each other~ She felt his hand move over the bare skin of her back and her own touch became more gentle.

Her mind to his mind. Her body to his. He saw her, yet part of her seemed afraid. The Vulcan Sa'Ra was with him, boldly taking him as she would, showing the fierce ancestry unleashed by the rite of the Pon Farr. She stood before him, proud, powerful, yet incomplete. A whisper in the shadows...."Jan"........the voice soft, quiet, almost timid. Sa'Ra.......a human Sa'Ra......wanted to shy away, yet remained, hesitant in the shadows beyond his vision. "Sa'Ra," he whispered, extending his hand into the darkness. A gentle hand touched his, fingers slowly twining in his own, before her voice, her human voice, spoke again. "Sarah," she said. "My name is Sarah."

Sa'ra let go of her logic, let go of her Vulcan pride and for the first time in her life she heard her human voice speaking. This side of her, previously pushed behind a wall and hidden from view as much as possible, was now freed. The meld with Jan had finally allowed Sa'Ra to understand the human emotions she'd kept locked away for so long. Sarah 's thoughts pushed them both to a deeper connection, she could feel the physical contact between them, but somehow it was the mind and not the body that seemed to move them together. Emotions and feelings she never experienced seemed to well up. Jan voice whispered to her, "Sarah.."

The face before him was hers, it's contours nearly identical. The exotic beauty of a Vulcan heritage, primarily witnessed through the tips of her ears, was gone. "Sarah," Jan said as he gently pulled her from the shadow, sharing the pool of light with her Vulcan counterpart and himself. Sa'Ra was beautiful to him. Likewise, Sarah. She smiled, and a warmth seemed to cast deep within him. Somewhere, another place, he was vaguely aware of their physical joining, two lost souls upon a ship bound for nowhere in particular, taking relief from their exertions. Here, their minds were joined, exploring, tasting beauty and joy. "We need to complete," he said as he looked tenderly into human eyes filled with emotion. One hand held that of Sarah. Turning his head, he offered the other to Sa'Ra.

She felt his hand taking her tenderly. Sarah smiled and gazed into his eyes, her own filled with strong loving emotions that she felt like she could fly. Sa'Ra took his other hand and a small smile played over her lips, "Complete.. as one.." She whispered and reached out to take Sarah's hand. The moment they touched willingly it was as if the sun had exploded. She could feel tears of joy falling from her eyes. She felt hot and brilliant and the only thing she could see was Jan. Both her voices, Human and Vulcan, whispered together, "Forever bonded as." Sa'Ra's voice cried out and echoed in the confines of her quarters, "ONE!"

Jan gasped at the moment; they seemed enveloped in light, three, then one, then nothing, swirls of energy and plasma which spun together in the brilliance of the moment. Sa'Ra was him; he was Sa'Ra, and again, Sarah. Vulcan and human in harmony, joined with him in the physical throes of passion as their katras flew to the heights, enjoined. The world was a burst of brilliant pulsar light, a cacophony of sound, rising, rising....they were one. "One!" he'd heard both shout, yet felt his own vocal chords straining to be heard. His head flew back, as if to shout...and he returned. Sa'Ra's quarters were still dark. They were as they had been, sprawled among the wreckage on the deck, but bodies once locked in combat now found themselves entwined in love's embrace. For a moment, he looked about the room, eyes wide, unbelieving of the moments just passed, until the throb of his fractured hand assured him that this was indeed reality. Finally, his eyes settled into those of Sa'Ra. Though winded with effort, she watched him keenly, the analytical Vulcan regaining control. Still, he saw the uncertainty, the soft presence, of Sarah within those eyes. For a moment, he looked away, gathering his wits, before turning again to face her, his answer a single word. "One."
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Re: Episode One - "Bridge Over Troubled Water"

Postby Bridget Cavenaugh » Thu Jul 28, 2011 8:50 am

Lieutenant Marayna Danforth
Acting Executive Officer
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Firewall


Location: Deck 1, Command Bridge

"Lieutenant," The voice of Ensign Oliver Franklin was respectful and polite as it left his lips, but his facial expression couldn't fully hide his concern over the current course of action. "All stations report ready." He looked up from his console before resuming, but the Acting Executive Officer didn't answer the attempt of his brown eyes to make eye contact. "Deck Masters are requesting further orders, ma'am."

Lieutenant Marayna Danforth gripped the armrests of the Command Chair a little harder, making her knuckles turn white as she did so, and stubbornly kept her dodger blue eyes trimmed on the large viewscreen in front of her while she considered her options; hoping that, if she would keep her attention focused on the tugs long enough, they would disappear along with the rest of her problems. Bitter as it might be, the attempt of the African American Operations Officer to draw her attention only rubbed her problem under her nose a little more. Why was the third watch Operations Officer covering for the absent Jan von Thiessen? Why was the Navigator attempting to operate both the Navigation and Pilot stations in the absence of Sa'Ra, the Pilot? Where was the Commanding Officer, the woman who did manage to complete her Command Aptitude Test? Why wasn't Kate on the Bridge already anyway?

"Madam," Lieutenant Junior Grade Lori Hemingway, the Navigator, managed to turn her attention away from the Pilot station just long enough to make eye contact while she spoke up. "We're losing speed. Shall I hold position here or do I have to turn us into a new heading?" Her own voice was, like Franklin's, respectful while she spoke but small drops of sweat were already visible on her face; proving the stress the young woman was under now she had to operate two stations at the same time. 

"Lieutenant," Ensign Franklin spoke up again, but his voice now held a more urgent undertone. "Flight Commander Jal'Tar is hailing us, do you want me to put him through?" The Operations Officer held his breath for a moment, waiting for a response, but when it failed to come he continued on a similar urgent tone. "Ma'am, our Deck Masters are still awaiting orders and Flight Commander Jal'Tar just hailed us again." 

The female Chief Intelligence Officer began digging her nails into the cold leather of the Command Chair, hesitating under the increasing burden of command on her shoulders. In the last three hours she'd searched both the Starfleet Database and the Intelligence Sector Plexus for information on the Panthotec Alliance or anything related that could give Kate an edge, but all her efforts had come up with nothing. Now, while Commanders Kate Unger and Lindsay McKaid were actually in charge, she was forced to make the decisions herself without any intelligence estimates or Command experience whatsoever. During her Command Aptitude Test, which she hadn't even graduated for -instead receiving the advice never to leave her desk because it wouldn't blow up with such a big bang- it was all a simulation, but now she was on a real ship with 150 crewmembers relying on her decisions. 

Swallowing softly and licking her dry pink lips with her tongue, Lieutenant Marayna Danforth pulled herself out of the Command Chair and made the first relevant decision that came to mind. "Computer, locate Commander Kate Unger." Her upper-class British voice, which normally held a cheerful tone, now matched the tense expression on her face and her near state of panic was painfully obvious as she spoke. The instant monotone reply of the computer didn't worked to further stabilize her either. "The current location of Commander Kate Unger is unknown."

Marayna visibly paled in response and muttered a soft curse while her already pale Caucasian skin tone rapidly disappeared. "Computer, locate Lieutenant Junior Grade Sa'Ra."

"Lieutenant Junior Grade Sa'Ra is currently in her quarters."

Why wasn't anyone responding to the Yellow Alert? 

"Lieutenant Danforth," The voice of Lori Hemingway, who was now sitting behind her own Navigation station, clearly gave her away as stressed and frustrated. "We've nearly lost our speed. If I won't make alterations now we'll start drifting!" She threw Marayna a look that matched her voice while she got out of her seat and took the two steps to reach the pilot seat. "Can I use the thrusters to maintain forward momentum and make a controlled stop?" It would only be one of the many requests that would go unanswered, and in response Lieutenant Junior Grade Hemingway took the initiative; engaging the thrusters and rocking the ship as it came to a controlled -be it somewhat rough- stop. 

Lieutenant Marayna Danforth swallowed once more, nearly choking in her own dry throat as she did and coughing up another response to the computer, trying to work down a belated list of decisions she deemed couldn't hold any negative consequences. "Computer, locate Lieutenant Junior Grade Jan von Thiessen." And that was the moment things went to crap. Having suffered through a biological attack in the form of unexplained food poisoning and a psychological attack in the form of the Thilane, the response of the computer sent a shock through the Bridge that seemed to leave and re-enter Marayna's body in a long, cold shiver. Even Lieutenant Hemingway froze between the pilot and navigation chairs and just looked at the Acting Executive Officer with a panicked look on her face. 

"Lieutenant Jan von Thiessen is no longer aboard the USS Firewall. Possible technical malfunction to his combadge in the quarters of Lieutenant Junior Grade Sa'Ra." 

Whether it was the shock of the moment, the Intelligence Training finally kicking in or just a final spur before her mental collapse was unknown, but at that moment Marayna made the first sane decision. "Ensign Drake, send a security team to the quarters of Lieutenant Junior Grade Sa'Ra." Her right hand forcibly tapped the combadge on her left breast. "Danforth to Astor... report to the quarters of Lieutenant Junior Grade Sa'Ra and find out what's wrong damnit!"

TAG: Bridge, Astor

[[OOC: Far from my best post, but I have to get back into the fray again. Give me a while to remove the rust and polish the metal, at least during the next week. Let's get this show on the road! :p]]  
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Re: Episode One - "Bridge Over Troubled Water"

Postby Thomas Astor » Thu Jul 28, 2011 11:49 am

Astor was brooding, a dark look on his face and a glare in his eyes, staring at the collection of PADDs, papers, files…The whole mess on his desk. De Beauvoire was hauling more and more of these to his office, finding the books almost as fast as her superior demanded them, but even then barely keeping up. The frantic activity she displayed was mirrored through the rest of the office, were officers of the JAG were working as hard as they could to assess their current situation. It was unprecedented, they were going into unknown diplomatic territory without full complement, with a captain who had only just recovered from a disease and her present second in command not capable of bearing the strain of that position. Thomas held respect for Danforth, but he knew her, probably better than anyone on the ship. She wasn’t made for this…Neither was he, but still…He cursed, reading through another paragraph of his shoddily drawn up opening document. They had nothing, no idea how to approach this. Sure, they had some basic diplomatic documents on how to greet new races, exchange greetings, gifts and such…But the alliance had usually had had the advantage of dictating place, time or even terms…

The Firewall had no such advantages, worse yet, in this case the other party held all the cards…And Thomas would have to play this already bad hand in a game to which he didn’t understand the rules. They had been expected…Had some unmanned probes reached this galaxy? If so, who had sent them? Not the Alliance, they hadn’t even been aware of this Panthotec alliance, nor would they have been able to predict it would be this ship, manned by this exact crew to arrive. Astor felt like someone was playing him, that he was a cat’s paw in someone else’s plans…He was accustomed that, but not knowing who this puppet master was, or what he wanted, it set his teeth on edge…

”Did you find anymore references to that Light business? Or found that comparative work on the Bajorans?”

De Beauvoire looked up from where she had been searching the stacks, shaking her head. Thomas threw his head back on the seat, letting go of a frustrated sigh, turning around to look at the swords hanging on the wall behind him. This was useless, they were grasping at straws, looking for a line that wasn’t there…They’d have to thread water for now, keep from drowning, follow the current, until they could pull themselves out of this mess. Thomas rubbed his eyes, he was tired, his eyes had that hot feeling of reading too much, staring too long at things…He turned around again…

”Just get me anything you can find about first contact…Specifically with warp-capable civilizations…”

He knew what she’d find, he had read most of them already, all that would show up on his desk would be alternate interpretations of what he’d already read. Interpretation after the fact, attempts to reconstruct exactly what happened, trying to explain things from a hindsight that was 20-20...Useless…So much knowledge and all inapplicable to the current situation…

The ship shivered slightly, the hum of the machinery changing subtly in pitch. They were dropping out of warp, Thomas recognized the signs. They would be close to their destination now. He sighed again. It wasn’t like more time would do them any good, but still…He felt he needed it. The JAG officer was nervous, like he had been back then. This’d be another precedent, another first of a kind case…Thomas closed his eyes, focusing on his breathing for a second. His nerves were frayed, they had come under two attacks now, biological and psychological. He was on edge, tired, the bourbon he’d had now a slight headache. All in all, he was in better shape than he had been for that time, in front of the camera’s, in front of the sneering admiralty brass…Thomas heard the yellow alert start, the ship enacting protocols to keep itself safe but it didn’t register. He was trying to calm himself. He was far more prepared than that day, he’d make it again today…

”Danforth to Astor.”

He blinked, sitting up straight. That voice…He shook his head, throwing a look at his comm-badge. It was, it was her voice, only in the here and now. Another precedent it seemed, for both of them. He pressed the metallic object…

”Ma’am?”

“Report to the quarters of Lieutenant Junior Grade Sa'Ra and find out what's wrong damnit!"

There was panic in that voice, but that was not what worried Astor, no more than he usually worried about where Danforth was concerned. What concerned his was that she was the one ordering him to do things, especially this…That meant that Kate was nowhere to be found, which made Danforth his immediate superior…The thought sent a chill down his spine, noting for the first time that yellow alert had sprung on. He’d have to contain this if he had any hope of keeping this first contact mission from turning into a complete Charlie Foxtrot. And judging by the tone of voice his new superior ordered him in, things would need a very firm hand…He opened a drawer with one hand, dipping in and holstering his own phaser. A gift of his family, most likely his father, upon taking the military route. Thomas clicked the comm-badge again as he got up.

”Yes ma’am…Understood.”

He shot his aide a look, explaining all that needed to be said. She’d have to deal with things over here for now, but he had full confidence in her ability to. It was the ability of a few others on this ship that caused his worries…He left the office quickly, his long legs carrying him into the hall, already heading for the quarters as a thought struck him. If something was indeed going wrong, he’d need more than just his own phaser. Sure, it was a beautiful piece of craftsmanship, but still…He threw a look around, noticing a group of four security officers already patrolling the halls, enacting protocols of the yellow alert. He beckoned them to follow.

”You men, with me…Captain’s orders!”

A white lie, but the stripes on his uniform and his look deterred any questions. Astor wasn’t angry, though his look was indeed dark enough to cloud a sunny day, he was just determined to get this done as quickly and efficiently as possible…It took them only a minute or so to make their way to the quarters, security following closely on the heels of the JAG officer, their boots clicking militaristically on the metal floor. They had arrived ahead of any other team that bridge had sent, perhaps only a minute or so, but Astor wasn’t about to waste any time. He tried opening the door, finding it sealed and locked, but that wouldn’t stop him. Astor looked at the officer at his side, a cold look.

”Get this door open…”

The man put away his weapon, bending over to introduce his own override code. The seconds passed only slowly as a soft, refusing beep told Astor it wasn’t working. Someone had locked the door…And told it to refuse standard overwrite. Time for a breach of protocol, he supposed. He tapped the guard on the shoulder, moving towards the console himself.

”Move aside…”

Thomas drew his own phases and quickly typed in his own override code, using the right to issue search-warrant to get his way in. The door beeped, processing his request and unlocked with a hiss. The men moved in, professionally, offensively. Two of the four men stepped in first, each going to one side of the room, weapons scanning for threats. It took only a few moment for them to ascertain there were none…

”Clear.”

Astor stepped in a second later, his weapon still drawn as his eyes became accustomed to the darkness of the room. In the light streaming in from behind him, his shadow was drawn in a long line across the floor, the light drawn to the two officers, who were lying naked on the floor…His face darkened even further, his brows dipping low over his eyes. All this commotion…All this distraction…For two people incapable …Then he saw the state the two of them were in, especially Von Tiessen. His hand was obviously broken, the fingers bent in strange ways and the muscles hanging weak, useless as the tendons find no more place to latch on to, like a door that can no longer move without a hinge. His face was a battered mess, a black eye, severe bruising everywhere. Astor didn’t need to see anything more, he knew enough. He had served on Vulcan for a time, he had read the precedents, he recognized the signs. Pon Farr. Or in legalese, assault and rape. The thundercloud that had been his eyes now spat lightning, a rumbling breath left his lungs, followed by his voice, cold and tightly controlled, but he could feel his headache creasing new peaks. He didn’t look at the leader of the security team, his eyes locked on the pair in a mixture of disgust and anger.

”Please separate these two, officer…” Thomas said, nodding at the pair on the floor. ”Then have one of your men escort Lieutenant Junior Grade Von Tiessen to the medical bay. Have the doctors forwards his injury report to my desk. Also ask they do a mental check-up.” He paused, fixing Sa’Ra a cold look. ”Also, please detain miss Sa’Ra and escort her to the brig…She‘ll be dealt with later.”

Thomas ignored the pair for a moment then, pushing his commbadge and giving a short debrief back to bridge.

”Astor to Danforth, both Von Tiessen and Sa’Ra have been found. Will be on the bridge soon for full debrief. Astor out.”
"To bring about the rule of righteousness in the land, to destroy the wicked and the evil-doers; so that the strong should not harm the weak..." - Codex Of Hammurabi
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Re: Episode One - "Bridge Over Troubled Water"

Postby jdrake » Thu Jul 28, 2011 2:28 pm

Ensign John Drake
Tactical Officer
USS Firewall

Jack watched silently as the command of the bridge began to deteriorate, and it did so rather rapidly. He had no doubts about the competency of the ship’s XO, but she seemed out of place in the captain’s chair. Initially, he had dismissed her hesitation as jitters and the nervous side effect of being in immediate command of the ship and the lives of the people on it, but it was obviously more then that. The crew had already been through quite a bit, and things didn’t look like they were getting better any time soon. The only luck they had was that they weren’t engaged in a firefight or any of the number of critical situations that starships often found themselves in. They were at the precipice of a first contact, though, and every first year Academy student knew the importance of such endeavors. The lieutenant would obviously know that as well, and he doubted that made things any easier for her. She was obviously not comfortably with command, but she needed to be, especially in their current situation.

She did, eventually, issue an order, and it was one that he had no issues following. The gray eyed tactical officer hit his combadge a split second after the woman spoke, ”Drake to Specialist Trantham.”

“Trantham here.”

”Assemble a security detail and head to Lieutenant Sa’Ra’s quarters. I believe one of the JAG officers will meet you there. Follow his orders at that time. Keep me informed of any developments.”

“Yes sir.”

Jack pushed his combadge again and turned slightly to look at the woman in the captain’s chair, ”Security team is enroute, sir.” She hadn’t made any mention of his using the male variant of the honorific. Some officers didn’t like it, some did. Either way, she was his superior, and he fell back on the more default way of addressing her until he was authorized otherwise.

The more immediate issue was that every officer on the bridge had something that needed to get done, and no one was giving them any instruction on how to do it. They had almost started drifting off course, and would have had the navigation officer not stepped in. Now standing still between the conn stations, the look on the woman’s face was seemingly shared among many of the other gathered members. Confusion, maybe a little fear. It was a poison to people in their position, where decisions had to be made quickly and to the absolute best of the ability of an officer. He knew it all to well. The operations he had undertaken over the last decade, especially the ones with teams, had such things just waiting for a crack in the armor of men and women. It was foolish to pretend they didn’t existed, but they couldn’t be allowed to dominate the situation. Even with this crew, who were missing their CO and had just had their minds screwed with by some force they didn’t entirely understand.

But something had to be done, and Danforth was obviously struggling with the entirety of the situation. That wasn’t on her shoulders alone; she was obviously not used to the position she was in, and had no one to back her up. What troubled him more was that none of the other officers, higher ranking then was, were willing to step into that position. Maybe they knew something he didn’t about the XO, but for the time being, if such a thing did exist, he couldn’t be bothered by it. What would bother him was standing around doing nothing and remaining silent when he knew that he could help.

Jack checked his console, making sure everything was still stable before leaving his station and briskly walking to the unoccupied second in command chair next to the captain’s chair. He didn’t sit in it, since that seemed a little too presumptuous, especially given his current actions. Using the command console next to it, he gave control of the navigational system to the helm station, looking at the lieutenant standing between the two, ”Lieutenant Hemingway, you and I both heard the Executive Officer order you to take the conn in Lieutenant Sa’Ra’s absence. You can access all you need from helm control.” It put him in an awkward position, being an ensign, but under the circumstances, Danforth seemed to need a bit of help. Ultimately, though, he had no intention of the log showing anything that he did without an order from the XO being attached to it. She was capable, he saw some of that come through when she ordered the security detail, and he wasn't out to take anything from her. Sometimes, all it took was a bit of a push from someone willing to lend a hand for people to reach their potential. He had seen it with soldiers and in his previous, albeit brief, tenure as a Starfleet officer. He was just an ensign, but Danforth was the executive officer. She needed to act like one, and he was going on some faith that, if given the chance to clear her head and settle down a bit, she would do just that.

He turned to look at the blonde haired woman, ”Lieutenant Danforth, I recommend we bring the ship around to heading oh-seven-point-oh-three and engage thrusters at seven percent for two seconds. After that, our inertia should be sufficient to carry us to the tugs.” Jack straightened a little more, envisioning a disciplinary committee in his future, ”Astor and the security detail can handle whatever is occurring with Lieutenants Sa’Ra and Von Thiesson. I’ll keep you informed of any developments. In the meantime, Flight Commander Jal’Tar has been hailing us.” He kept his voice steady and smooth. His tone was somewhat quiet, since he was essentially standing right next to the woman, but the bridge needed calm at the moment, and if he could help her achieve that, the other officers would follow, ”I’d expect it is in regard to docking procedures.”

Jack’s combadge beeped and he answered, listening to the message from Trantham. He thought about it for a moment before relaying the information to Danforth, taking a step forward and keeping his voice low to avoid it being heard by the entire bridge, ”Astor has ordered Von Thiesson to the medical bay and has detained Lieutenant Sa’Ra.” He took a step back, resuming a more respectable distance between himself and the executive officer. He left out the details. They weren't important right now. Astor could handle it, he told himself again, especially with a security team backing him. Right now, the bridge had more important things to deal with. ”I believe that situation can wait for the moment, Lieutenant.” He took a bit of a breath before speaking again, ”Commander Jal’Tar needs to speak with someone.” He added that in, without giving any indication of which action to take. She needed to make that decision herself. He was already doing things far beyond his rank and station, and if the XO wanted to come down on him for it, it was unavoidable at this point. The bottom line for him was that, as tactical officer, he was responsible for the safety of the people on the ship, and right now, that meant Danforth needed to start acting like a command officer. If that meant his reprimand, so be it.

He should have known attempts to keep his head down were futile. So much for the first day.

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Re: Episode One - "Bridge Over Troubled Water"

Postby Mia Cummings » Fri Jul 29, 2011 9:10 am

LtJG Sa'Ra
Helm, USS Firewall

Sa'Ra was only peripherally aware that there were others in the room. Her attention was still on von Tiessen, their bodies and minds still linked together. Suddenly she felt hand grip her and pull her away. Her Link to Jan was severed and she became aware of her surroundings. She was quickly covered in her robe as the Security officers escorted her out of the room. Even tough her human emotions were still strong she managed to hide them. She held her head up as she walked through the ship between her guards.

She knew what she had done. Knew that she had crossed the fragile line and had forced herself into Jan's mind. Knew that she had raped him, both physically and mentally. That she had lost control because of Pon Farr was not an excuse. But the fact remained that ..under Vulcan culture.. they were bound together as mates.

Sa'Ra was placed in the cell. Her bare feet making little sound as she moved to the center of the cell. She did not turn around as the force field was raised. Did not turn to speak to the guards, who were talking about seeing her naked and making lewd comments. In fact all she could think was that she had caused pain and suffering to Jan.

She could still feel the affects of the meld, and the physical joining. She wondered if this was normal. She had always been satisfied that she had never succumbed to the more basic needs before. She knew what logic would dictate. She had cross the line and broken the laws. Jan had not been given a choice. To this she could not find any excuse. She would claim all responsibility and willingly take any punishment she was dealt.

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Re: Episode One - "Bridge Over Troubled Water"

Postby sail3695 » Fri Jul 29, 2011 11:02 am

Lt. jg Jan von Tiessen
Operations, USS Firewall

"Minor lacerations to both forearms, indicating a defensive posture. Glass fragments removed from the wounds match those from the shattered picture frame." The EMH, fleet standard model, a visual copy of it's creator, Dr. Zimmerman, continued his examination, his voice offering no expression as he continued the diagnostic process. "Contusions and lacerations along the lips and jawline.....contusion surrounding the right eye....minor blood loss within the cornea.......swelling above the right temple would indicate another blunt force hematoma....."

Jan sat upon the biobed, his bare legs dangling over it's edge as the holodoc and his nurse poked and prodded. He'd found a convenient spot on the far bulkhead, free from the eyes of the two security officers, or the medicoes. Now, his eyes locked into the spot, their gaze fixed upon that simple point. There was nothing else to do.

"Right hand, metacarpal two shows substantial cracking," the EMH continued. "Metacarpals three, four, and five of the same hand are fractured entirely.........numerous contusions and abrasions across the shoulders, back, and buttocks, most likely from the table he fell through......"

The words droned around him, as flies, their buzzing hardly a thing to think of.

"........Genital abrasions........"

He heard the taps and chirps of several PADDs as their holders recorded the doctor's findings. None of it seemed to register. He stared forward, a passenger in his own body. Disconnected.....dissolute. Sa'Ra...

Fabric touched him; the nurse was applying a treatment gown. "You may lie down, Lieutenant," came the voice of the EMH. He was about to respond, a mute simply following instructions, until a crisp young woman stepped directly into his field of view, her PADD at the ready.

"Lieutenant von Tiessen," she said, "I am Lt. Hargitay. I have to take your statement. What can you tell us?"

His eyes drew focus, finding clarity in the corner of her PADD, slowly climbing her uniform, until the security officer's face swam into his view. "What can you tell us?" she asked again.

Jan's brow furrowed; he tilted his head slightly, mouth opening as he regarded her. "Tell you what?"

Hargitay's eyes shifted to the EMH briefly,. before resuming her own gaze upon Jan. "What happened to you, Jan?"

He looked at her, his mind a fog though which he could barely comprehend her question, his surroundings, the surreality of the moment Sarah.... After a moment, Jan's gaze dropped, taking in the bare knees which projected from beneath the hospital gown, his mind furiously working to figure out what to say. "What happened to me?" he asked, slowly raising his head, facing the security officer with eyes full of question. "Well.....I'm thirsty."

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Re: Episode One - "Bridge Over Troubled Water"

Postby sail3695 » Fri Jul 29, 2011 11:06 am

Duplicate post. Sorry.
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Re: Episode One - "Bridge Over Troubled Water"

Postby Garret Gein » Sat Jul 30, 2011 1:50 am

Garret sat at science station considering past and present events. While thinking about Jam and Sa’Ra situation, a modicum of guilty slow fill his mind. Garret thought he should have quatrain Sa’Ra or confronted Jan personally instead of sending an e-mail to his pad. Sa’Ra words suddenly echo in his head. She had said “Vulcan's have been known to become quite ... aggressive”. The next words he remembered she had said, "And I suggest if you value your life, you will value my privacy in the future". Jan was hurt and Sa’ra was brig because of his short sightlines. He thought were interrupted by Tactical Officer who took charge then made some recommendation to Lieutenant Danforth. Garret added, “Lieutenant, I would like to point out under star fleet regulations you can denial their request to tug the Firewall down to the surface of the planet”. Garret had list of regulations in mind as he started bring them up on his PADD. He then continued, “Also, Starfleet flight operation safety protocol requires a level 3 or above rating when landing”. He suspected Lieutenant Hemingway rating wasn’t that height. Garret’s rating was one but he wasn’t going to announce that to the Lieutenant. He had hope Sa’Ra would brought up but he knew that wouldn’t happen. The only thing he could do now was to wait for a response from Lieutenant Danforth.

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Re: Episode One - "Bridge Over Troubled Water"

Postby Sonja Kinnunen » Sat Jul 30, 2011 7:45 pm

Ensign Sonja Kinnunen
Chief Infiltration Officer
U.S.S. Firewall, Bridge

Sonja regarded the Lieutenant in silence as it became apparent she was struggling with her next action when faced with her commanding officer not being available. Dangerous. Wasn't Sonja's place, however, to take command. She considered offering advice to break her hesitancy of assuming authority over the ship, but their Tactical Officer appeared up to that task. His approach was far less subtle than Sonja, herself, would have used, but then he wasn't an Infiltration Officer trained in subtlety or tact. Prompting their commander to take action was one thing; prompting specific action was bordering on insinuation of her inability to command. Had the Helm Officer recommended that course change the suggestion would have played better.

No matter, the action was done and in Marayna's court. It could turn out to be an effective play, in the end.

Casting her bright blues up at Marayna, Sonja pulled out her PADD and directed orders back down to the Intelligence Department over secure channels. A great deal was going on, and Marayna had enough to deal with; it seemed appropriate, being the Lieutenant's subordinate, to take the initiative to locate their commanding officer discretely. If there was something the men and women below should be capable of it was performing a discrete search of the ship, physically or by electronic means.

Slowly she turned and moved off to the right along the wall. Standing before one of the auxiliary consoles, she brought up sensor and navigational reports.

Astor's voice came over the comm, followed by their Tactical Officer confirming the report that the security matter had been dealt with; he stressed the incoming hail, which Sonja agreed was of particular importance (so long as they weren't about to hit something if they didn't stabilize their orbit). Again, matters remain in the Lieutenant's control. The Ensign turned her head just enough to look over her left shoulder to gauge their acting Captain's response. This was a great deal of responsibility being thrust into her hands and obviously her reintegration into society had taken a radical course correction.
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Re: Episode One - "Bridge Over Troubled Water"

Postby Mia Cummings » Sun Jul 31, 2011 1:39 am

LtJG Sa'Ra
Prisoner
USS Firewall

Sa'Ra hadn't moved in 30 minutes. She was rooted to the same place they had left her in. Facing the rear of the cell. If anyone cared to look at her, they'd see her hands curled into fists. She'd clenched her fists so tightly that her fingernails had dug into the skin and a small trail of blood was seeping over her fingers.

She also hadn't said a word to anyone. instead she could only think about what had happened. She almost felt like screaming. The more she thought about those men entering her quarters, the more anger she felt. Why was it that humans had to put their noses in places they don't belong. She though about what she could do to them and a small grin formed on her face.
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Re: Episode One - "Bridge Over Troubled Water"

Postby Bridget Cavenaugh » Sun Jul 31, 2011 4:09 pm

Lieutenant Marayna Danforth
Acting Executive Officer
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Firewall


Location: Deck 1, Command Bridge

"Lieutenant Danforth," The voice of the Tactical Officer drew her attention and Marayna looked up to the man who was now standing right next to the Command Chair. "I recommend we bring the ship around to heading oh-seven-point-oh-three and engage thrusters at seven percent for two seconds." For a moment, she tried to calculate exactly what bearing the Ensign was referring to but she couldn't quite concentrate, both because she was still too stressed under the burden of command but also because the man continued talking; something she also tried to keep track of at the same time. In the end, it just resulted in a falsely calculated course which would only take them away from the planet and towards a giant nebula further in the system, and she also completely missed out on the rest of what the Tactical Officer said. "I'd expect it is in regard to docking procedures."

Lieutenant Marayna Danforth kept her dodger blue eyes trimmed on the man, pretending to understand what he just said and settling with a neutral facial expression which clashed horribly with the drops of sweat that were beginning to form on the pale skin of her face. What had the man just tried to say? She kept looking at his face for a moment, noticing Lieutenant Junior Grade Hemingway was also looking at her while awaiting either confirmation or different orders, and she tried to swallow against her dry throat once again. And what was that about docking procedures? Before she could even think of a reply, her own combadge chirped and the voice of Lieutenant Junior Grade Thomas Astor emerged from the small device. Talk about being saved by the commbadge! 

"Astor to Danforth, both von Thiessen and Sa'Ra have been found." Upon hearing those words, Lieutenant Marayna Danforth held her breath and began preparing herself for the worst. Professional as Astor was however, it was something that wouldn't be spoken over an open commlink. "Will be on the Bridge soon for full debrief. Astor out." The link between their two commbadges severed before Marayna could even say something in reply, so the sigh that left her lips -both relieved that Sa'Ra and von Thiessen were found but also disappointed over the lack of news- most likely went unheard by the JAG Officer. 

Looking back up at the Ensign in front of her -she really had to ask for his name!- Marayna noticed he also just finished talking with someone. Before anything could be said however, the Tactical Officer took a step forwards, entering her personal space in a way that would've made the Chief Intelligence Officer frown under normal circumstances. "Astor has ordered von Thiessen to the Medical Bay and has detained Lieutenant Sa'Ra." Her dodger blue eyes registered how the man took a step back, but the damage of his soft, nearly whispered voice had already been done. Having suffered through both a biological and psychological attack had been a strain on Marayna's nerves and being introduced to the unexpected burden of command had only strained them further to their breaking point, but to hear they now also suffered from an inside attack -a falsely drawn conclusion, but nevertheless- by Lieutenant Junior Grade Sa'Ra really pushed Marayna's nerves to the point of snapping. "I believe that situation can wait for a moment, Lieutenant." Marayna kept her dodger blue eyes trimmed on the man, but she could feel her heart pound in her chest and a heavy migraine was already making its first jolly pinches against her temples. She wasn't cut out for this; this was Kate's job. Where was Katie? "Commander Jal'Tar needs to speak with someone." 

Bingo. The breaking point.

"Yes..." Her upper class British voice was somewhat unsteady as it left her dry pink lips, and her fear was obviously viaible in her wide dodger blue eyes. "Yes, he... he needs to speak with someone." Almost instinctively, the Acting Executive Officer swallowed against her dry throat in an attempt to gain her voice somewhat under control and speak with authority. It failed; her dry throat only made her cough. "I... I have to... report the incident with Lieutenant Junior Grade Sa'Ra. Write a report... yes. Ensign," She briefly made eye contact before her eyes moved over towards the door on the port side of the Bridge; the doors leading to the Briefing Room. "Ensign, you have to get through here... tell Astor he has the conn when he arrives." 

With those words Lieutenant Marayna Danforth, the Acting Executive Officer, pushed herself past the Tactical Officer and disappeared behind the door of the Briefing Room.

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Re: Episode One - "Bridge Over Troubled Water"

Postby Thomas Astor » Sun Jul 31, 2011 5:18 pm

He watched as they dragged the pair into two different directions, one to the brig and the other to the medbay and grunted, rubbing the bridge of his nose, between the eyes as he tried to relieve some of his headache. This entire ship was going to hell in a hand basket. They had lost the XO already and now one of the senior staff had snapped and forced herself upon another, taking him out of action in the process…Their CO right now was an inexperienced, uncertain young woman not made for command and in an hour or less, Astor himself would have to meet with dignitaries of an unknown species of warp-capable sentients. He cursed softly under his breath, noticing the last of the security team waiting for him near the door, obviously uncertain what to do or say, probably shocked and surprised at what he had seen. The officer had been trained to deal with security from the outside, usually, crime was something unusual on a Starfleet vessel. Anything beyond a few punches was beyond what they were used to…Out of their depth…Astor could not afford such sensibilities. He nodded towards the security officer, holstering his phaser again, running his fingers along the etched motto on the right side. Fiat iustitia, ne pereat mundus Thomas sighed. His work lay out before him…

”Seal this room, officer. Let nobody disturb it until we have had time to deal with this matter…”

Thomas followed the man outside, watching him as he put in the security to code to deny entrance to people without permission to enter. That was at least this settled, for now. As urgent as this case was, there were bigger fish to fry for the moment. Von Tiessen would be in the med-bay for a few hours at least and Sa’Ra could stay in that cell of hers for a lot longer for all he cared. Right now, he was needed on the bridge. He gave a quick nod to the security officer, before turning on his heel and heading down the hallway at a brisk pace, whipping his PADD out for a second to check if De Beauvoire had found anything, hoping against better knowledge. There would be nothing for him…And there wasn’t…

Placing the PADD back on his belt, he stormed into the turbolift, pressing the close button and directing the massive metallic cage towards the bridge. He was in a foul mood, absolutely foul. This entire ship reminded him more of a Charlie Foxtrot than an actual warship. What had happened to the professionalism on this thing? Who had gotten the smart idea to send a green crew, untested, unbloodied and untried, into the middle of this massive shitstorm. Thomas found he was cursing softly under his breath, curling his hands into fists. He allowed himself the slip, the external signs of worry and annoyance. Soon, he wouldn’t be able to show it. Let it out for now…He took a deep breath in, letting the moments in the elevator, cut off from the rest of the ship be a moment for him to gather his thoughts again. Cold, collected…Get this sorted, get all of this sorted out…Then he’d sort out the idiots responsible for this entire Charlie Foxtrot…

The doors buzzed open, leading into the bridge, Astor strode forwards as soon as they did, entering the bridge like a thundercloud. His face was composed, but his eyes still flashed lightning and his step was swift, annoyed. Thomas stopped in the middle of the bridge, noticing that the captains chair was conspicuously empty, Marayna nowhere to be found. She had left a few minutes before, but of course, Astor didn’t know that at the time. Honestly though, he wasn’t even disappointed. This might be better than he had expected. A quick look around the bridge told him he was the highest ranking officer here…He recognized Kinnunen, the Intel Ensign, Garret and some tactical Ensign he hadn’t seen before…

The tactical officer seemed to have the most central position, near the command chair. Astor made his way over, bearing down on the man quickly. His voice was cold, but loud for the silence that hung over the bridge…

”Ensign, report…” Astor turned to the big screen, giving a look at the main screen and trying to take in as much as the situation as he could on the fly. ”Where’s Lieutenant Danforth?”

Thomas gave the man some time to explain most of the situation, nodding and sitting down in the command chair. A non-verbal sign he was taking control. There were few others left to take it, Astor knew…And the only one here right now. He shook his head. This was not how he had imagined his first spaceflight in over a year to go…Or how he’d expected to end up taking seat in a captain’s chair, but there was little time to ponder on that for now. He had a job to do, if nobody else would do his own…He let out a deep breath, looking over the bridge slowly, noting a conspicuous absence at the tactical station. Sure, the ship could be run from only a few consoles, but tactical was important, especially where they were going.

”Ensign Garret, please take Von Tiessen’s station for now, I want all essential stations crewed…Anything else?” He looked around at the bridge, his hands folded in front of his face. ”If not, hail commander Jal’Tar and get this over and done with…”

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Re: Episode One - "Bridge Over Troubled Water"

Postby jdrake » Sun Jul 31, 2011 6:35 pm

“That’s enough.” Specialist Stephen Trantham spoke quickly as he walked into the brig, listening to the conversation between the security team that had escorted the half-Vulcan Lieutenant into her cell. He was not an officer, and had no aspirations to be one, preferring instead to be among the rank and file, but there was still a code of conduct he believed all Starfleet personnel needed to abide by. “Whether guilty of a crime or not, she’s still a superior officer.”

“You were there, Steve. You saw her, and what she did.” One of the guards replied quickly and with a smirk, “You can’t say she deserves our respect.”

The tall man shrugged, “Maybe, but Ensign Drake was the one who ordered us there.” He and the aforementioned officer had become rather quick friends during their stay on the Lexington and chance had them stationed together on the Firewall, much to the enlisted man’s surprise, “That means we fall under his command for that situation. I doubt you want him to hear about this.”

There was a very long pause before one of the other guards spoke, “No sir.” Another pause before he continued, “Is it true about him? We heard he used to be black ops. For Section Thirty-One.”

“Even if it was, it’s above any of our pay grades. Resume your posts, and keep quiet.” It was a curt reply, but, really, all Stephen could give. His friendship not withstanding, he knew relatively little about the past of the man who had commanded him. He turned away from the other guards and moved to the cell Sa’Ra was being held in, lowering the force field long enough to toss a uniform onto the bed, “Ma’am.” He didn’t say anything else. He had no idea what had occurred, it wasn’t his place to know, but if the allegations were true…well. He wouldn’t say it out loud, but the usual respect he had for an officer was waning. He gave her a crisp nod and raised the force field again before returning to the guard station.
--------------------------------------------------------

Ensign John Drake
Tactical, USS Firewall

Jack watched for a few moments as the Lieutenant and XO hurried off the bridge. A bit of disbelief hung in the air for a few moments as she did so, and he took a bit of a breath. She either wasn’t ready or wasn’t suited for command, and he had no idea whether she would rise to the occasion, as he had hoped. For now, obviously, she was not, and he couldn’t simply run after her when she had given him command of the bridge. The eyes of the other officers seemed not to be on him at the moment, but the door Danforth had walked through and there was a long silence. One that he quickly interrupted, ”Lieutenant Hemingway, please bring the ship around the previous mentioned coordinates, but hold position when we reach the tugs.”

The ensign sat down in the captain’s chair for the first time in nearly a decade and leaned back, crossing a leg over the other in a fairly casual position. Not that he didn’t take the responsibility seriously, but the bridge crew needed to be put at ease. ”Operations, open a channel to Commander Jal’Tar.” The main screen shimmered a little as the Alliance flight commander came into view, ”Commander, Jal’Tar. I’m Ensign Drake, and I apologize for the delay.”

“Where is Commander Unger?”

”That’s precisely what I’m contacting you about. No doubt you are aware of our previous encounter and situation. Unfortunately, it has caused a few more problems then originally expect.” His voice maintained a steady calm as the officer on the other end of the com raised a slight eyebrow, ”That said, both Commander Unger and her Executive Officer are currently having to deal with some delicate issues in regards to some our personnel and subsystems. As you can see, we’re approaching your tugs and will be holding our position there. I do apologize for the inconvenience, but as soon as we’re prepared to begin our landing, we will contact again. I don’t expect it to take more then a few minutes.”

“Really, Ensign, that isn’t necessary. We can tug you down with no issues.”

”Oh, I understand, Commander, believe me.” He gave the man a smile and stood up, moving forward slightly, ”Unfortunately, we have a rather extensive series of protocols and regulations to follow, as I’m sure you understand. As soon as possible, we’ll contact you about the landing procedure.”

“Very well, ensign. Hopefully we’ll be in touch soon.”

The conversation ended and Jack let out another breath before looking to the current helm officer, ”Lieutenant Hemingway, you are qualified to fly this thing, aren’t you?”

“Yes. Every navigational officer is trained as a backup pilot.”

”Good. Keep us steady.” He walked over to the operations officer, ”I want long and short range sensor sweeps. The last thing we need are more surprises.” Jack hit his combadge, ”Drake to Security. Have all patrols try to locate Commander Unger.” He looked back over the bridge, ”Alright. Let’s initiate Blue Alert and prepare for lan…”

He was interrupted by the entrance of an obviously annoyed JAG officer, Jack turning on his heel to face the man. Never the most stabilizing element to have present on a bridge, the man certainly didn’t give an air of calm to contradict that assumption. Astor, obviously. Not at all happy with the events that had been going on, and his eyes and step echoed that. Jack stood where he was as the JAG officer stormed over, eying the man before Astor asked his questions, ”Well…sir, we’re currently moving towards the planet, specifically the tugs waiting to help us land, where I have ordered us to hold position. Lieutenant Hemingway has taken over for Lieutenant Sa’Ra.” He replied as Astor sat down in the captain’s chair, ”Lieutenant Danforth is in the ready room, compiling a report on the incident with Lieutenant Sa’Ra.” He didn’t add that he wasn’t entirely sure how, considering Astor hadn’t briefed her on the situation.

He listened to the man’s orders quietly before he responded, ”Sir, Ensign Franklin, currently at Lieutenant Von Tiessen’s station, is a trained operations officer. Considering we will possibly be landing, per Starfleet regulation in a Blue Alert situation, Ensign Garret would be better utilized at his own station, as we will require a trained science officer to monitor the deflection systems while entering atmosphere.” Probably a little less respectful then usual, but, whether a good thing or not, he was almost beyond caring. Being stuck in a brig instead of having to deal with the mess the bridge was turning into seemed almost a upgrade. Jack punched a few buttons on the command console, giving the tactical station back control of the related systems, ”Additionally, Commander Jal’Tal has been contacted. However, he is awaiting the beginning of our docking procedures.” He glanced at Astor, ”As far as tactical is concern, we currently have defensive measures engaged. Offensive systems are still powered down, and we remain on yellow alert.” He straightened a little, ”Sir, request permission to leave the bridge and speak to Lieutenant Danforth. I believe Lieutenant Gran is currently available to fill in at the tactical station.” Jack paused a moment, ”Also, it goes without saying, but for the logs, you have the conn and I currently stand relieved of command.”

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Re: Episode One - "Bridge Over Troubled Water"

Postby Sonja Kinnunen » Sun Jul 31, 2011 9:04 pm

Ensign Sonja Kinnunen
Chief Infiltration Officer
U.S.S. Firewall, Bridge

Sonja turned her eyes back to the console as her fingers passed over the controls quickly. Practiced in the art of deception, she kept the frown from her features. All the same, the Lieutenant's continued uncertainty concerned Sonja greatly. Too much too soon for the woman given her history? Why then thrust her into the Executive role? Where then had the Captain gone? If she were superstitious it would seem some ill omen all these events conspiring against them before they even met their adversary. What shape would they be in when battle began? Curse Intelligence for leaving her a mere Ensign for this assignment.

Danforth then made a speedy retreat and left an Ensign in command. An Ensign? A sad state for the chain of command to elevate an Ensign as acting Captain. Sonja considered following Danforth when Drake opened a channel with their new friends to explain the situation and see to it they were parked appropriately. The Infiltrator refrained from wincing as he alluded to problems aboard ship. The details were glossed over and that was a small blessing, all the same Sonja would have preferred he hadn't referenced those matters at all. A convenient lie regarding some technical difficulty would have sufficed. An... unexpected and delayed side effect of what had occurred earlier. And as for announcing his rank, well Sonja felt a small pang of lament at that being broadcast. Bad enough they would probably notice the difference in rank at his collar and wonder.

Before she could veer off, again, Astor made an appearance. Well, at least they were back up into the Lieutenant range. Commander would have been better, but from what Sonja had observed at the dinner she felt reassured the man could handle himself. You had to be sharp mentally to deal with legal matters, after all; able to react at the most unexpected development and reformulate your strategy. Nothing personal against Drake, but Sonja barely knew him. She didn't know many on board, actually, outside of that dinner.

Turning slowly from the station after wiping it of all prior activity and logging out of it, Sonja regarded Astor from where she'd stood with her back to the bridge until this moment. Drake wanted to see Danforth? So much for a private meeting between subordinate and commander with a little motivation speech. She remain silent, however, as Astor didn't need two officers for all intents and purposes "fighting" over who got to leave the bridge when the bridge was all ready understaffed--specifically lacking a command staff. "Lieutenant, I stand ready to assist." She was a field officer, but she had skills in various other areas to aid in getting in or out of tough places. Seeing how they weren't, currently, engaging hostiles Sonja was quite confident she could fill in anywhere on the bridge that the Lieutenant needed. Not that the stand-ins currently at these posts wouldn't suffice, of course. It was simply an offer.
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Re: Episode One - "Bridge Over Troubled Water"

Postby Garret Gein » Mon Aug 01, 2011 12:53 am

“Understood Lieutenant Junior Grade Astor, I will assume control ops as requested, sir” said Garret in professional tone. He began to logon out as his thoughts slow drifted back to Jan and Sa’ra. He stood and began to walk over to operations station when Ensign Drake explained regulation to Astor. Drake had made a good point so Garret stopped to wait for Astor chance to speak.

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Re: Episode One - "Bridge Over Troubled Water"

Postby Thomas Astor » Tue Aug 02, 2011 3:17 pm

Astor was thinking, trying to quickly figure out how to go at this. The captain was nowhere to be found, or so he surmised, as nobody seemed to be running to her for direction. With Marayna presently locking herself up in the briefing room, Sa’Ra in the brig and Von Tiessen consigned to the medical bay, the chain of command looked a little bleak. JAG wasn’t really meant to be acting as a captain, it interfered with their professed neutrality…But it seemed that there was nobody else. A mental shrug, necessity made strange bedfellows…

Listening to Drake, Astor quickly ran down his own mental checklist. Alright, so they were heading down to the planet. That was something at least, their yellow alert situation hadn’t really thrown off the Panthotec alliance, or cancelled their original approach. He’d have enough trouble already. Thomas rubbed his chin, deep in thought until the Ensign pointed out that he had missed someone during his quick sweep of the bridge. The Operations console was indeed manned, something he hadn’t noticed at all. Sloppy, very sloppy of him indeed, but he hadn’t expected Von Tiessen’s place to be already filled. Perhaps a mental fault of his, to assume that the damage done to the poor Lt-Jg had somehow interfered with the rest of the crews capability to replace him. Thomas shook his head slightly, a wan smile as he raised his hand towards Franklin.

”Sorry about that Franklin, didn’t see you there. My appologies.” He looked over to Garret, who had frozen halfway to the console, nodding slightly. ”Please return to your post, Ensign. I’m sorry for the confusion.”

Not good, not good for his image at all, but he supposed some slip ups were going to be unavoidable. At least Drake had been polite enough to point it out respectfully, allowing it to be corrected quickly. They were already lower on expertise than he would’ve liked, it would be a waste to assign it wrongly…

Astor froze for a moment as Drake replied in rather offhanded manner that he had already contacted Jal’Tar, in a tone of voice that the JAG officer found decidedly annoying. A blasé kind of way of speaking, as if the ensign had seen it all before…His nostrils flared for a short moment, focusing his look on the Ensign for a long moment, locking eyes and staring into them. He awaited the man to finish, allowing himself some more time to think things through. Perhaps it was some of the anger he still felt at Sa’Ra, at this entire situation that was going to hell…But honestly, Astor didn’t think so…His voice was calm when he spoke, but with a slight edge to it and a dash of sarcasm…

”Marvelous, Ensign.” Thomas put a little more stress on each word than usual, allowing the cadences in his voice to lengthen…”I’m certain that you felt it absolutely mandatory that whatever message it was you had for the Commander be immediately transferred to him and could stand no further delay…” He paused, looking for a moment longer before continuing. ”Furthermore, I’m certain you will have used all the tact and skill we can expect from someone of your rank and position…”

If there was any easier way to undermine a diplomatic position, it was showing weakness, confusion and chaos on your side, expounding the fact you could not control your own forces. True as that may have been in this situation, it was not a message that should have been sent to the alliance at all. An ensign on the bridge, in control during yellow alert, a change of communicating partner…They were all things that weakened their status considerably, and god only knew what else had been said during that short few minutes before he had arrived. The situation had not been a case for the tactical department, nor for an ensign…And now they had no blighted way to control the information that had spread…

”As for permission to speak to Lieutenant Danforth, I wonder to what end…” Astor had an idea of what the Ensign wanted to do, the same thing as him probably, shout her back to the bridge, shame her back into control. Only he knew just a little better that when Danforth shut in, it was best not to push her too much. They had done that, once, a long time ago. It hadn’t been pretty…”Instead, I suggest you try to find me Commander Unger, so we can turn this chain of command back the way it should be. In any spare time, coordinate a suitable defence of the ship for when we have landed, I would prefer it if most halls were locked down, but try to keep it on the low…Dismissed.”

He turned as he heard Kinnunen, or at least the only female voice he could imagine being on the bridge, speak up. She told him she was ready to assist and honestly, Astor believed he was indeed in need of her assistance. He gave the lady a small smile and nodded.

”Thank you, Kinnunen, I could use it.” They didn’t really know a lot about their hosts, nothing at all really, and it was only an hour or so before they would touch down on the surface of their home world. The Pantothec seemed to have enormous insight in them…Astor wanted something at least. ”I’d like you put those intelligence skills to good use. Get me information. Scan the planet, monitor radio transmissions and communications, whatever can give us an idea of exactly who or what we’re dealing with here…” He looked over to Garret, looking at the Bajoran. ”Garret, please assist her as long as we’re not breaching the atmosphere. We’re hurting for intelligence here, I want as much as you can get me on short notice…” Turning back to Franklin, Astor nodded. ”Take us over to those tugs, Ensign…Let’s go meet our hosts…”
"To bring about the rule of righteousness in the land, to destroy the wicked and the evil-doers; so that the strong should not harm the weak..." - Codex Of Hammurabi
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