POST INDEX
| Post # | Character | Title |
| 001 | Iverson | The Ultimate Decision Selene discusses the situation with the senior staff |
| 002 | Valentine | The Right Choice Sarena talks to Selene about their options |
| 003 | Dima | Together, Alone Nicole talks to Sofia about their predicament |
| 004 | Mitshiba | Imperfect Perfection Aki considers the options and makes a decision |
| 005 | Andersson | An Easy Decision Sofia comforts Nicole before they vote |
| 006 | Valentine | Counting Down Sarena goes to see Gemma in the Infirmary |
| 007 | Mitshiba | Planning Either Way Aki gets a visit from Selene in the Science Lab |
| 008 | Iverson | New Heading The results of the vote are announced |
| 009 | Valentine | Nice and Easy Sarena reviews their situation and stays positive |
| 010 | Gemma | Awakened Fears Gemma, as Anya, wakes up |
| 011 | Mitshiba | First Thing First Aki thinks about what needs to be done first |
| 012 | Andersson & Dima | Disappearing Act Nicole and Sofia return to an empty Infirmary |
| 013 | Valentine | One Perspective Sarena is glad to see Gemma back on her feet |
| 014 | Gemma | Multiple Perspectives Gemma struggles with her personalities |
| 015 | Andersson & Dima | Professional Concerns Nicole and Sofia talk to Selene about Gemma |
| 016 | Valentine | Breakfast Discussions Sarena speaks to Aki, Selene and Sofia |
| 017 | Mitshiba | Cutting Through The... Aki goes to the Infirmary injured |
| 018 | Gemma | An Anchor Gemma talks with Nicole |
| 019 | Valentine | Sunlight Aki and Sarena come up with a new energy plan |
| 020 | Andersson | A Walk In The Dark Sofia wanders the ship, thinking |
| 021 | Dima | Silver Nicole meets Saha Rahi |
| 022 | Gemma | Soothing Melodies Nicole listens to Saha's music |
| 023 | Iverson | Twelve Days to Go Selene and Sarena talk |
| 024 | Valentine | Stars Sarena contemplates the situation |
| 025 | Iverson | Halfway There Sarena and Selene chat |
| 026 | Mitshiba | Allocaton Issues Aki vents to Gemma |
| Post # | Character | Title |
| 027 | Gemma | Performance Anxiety Nicole speaks with Gemma than Saha |
| 028 | Andersson | A Quick Detour Nicole goes to see Sofia before the concert |
| 029 | Iverson | Melody of the Soul Selene enjoys the concerto and observes the others |
| 030 | Dima | Survivor's Guilt Nicole and Sofia wake up in the same quarters |
| 031 | Andersson | A Brighter Day Nicole and Sofia go for breakfast |
| 032 | Mitshiba | Feeling Better Aki feels a lot better following Saha's performance |
| 033 | Iverson | Feels Like Home The BASTET arrives at ELYSIA |
| 034 | Gemma | Imperfect Perfection Gemma is having issues with being on ELYSIA |
| 035 | Iverson | From Captain to... ELYSIA is proving to be a true paradise |
| 036 | Mitshiba | Living Planet Aki makes an astonishing discovery |
| 037 | Gemma | Another Day Gemma returns to the settlement |
| 038 | Andersson | Much Ado About Nothing Sofia and Nicole have a picnic |
| 039 | Dima | Synergy Nicole and Sofia talk about the living planet |
| 040 | Iverson | Universal Karma The senior staff meet and are contacted |
| 041 | Mitshiba | Grateful Visitors Aki talks to Selene about returning home |
| 042 | Valentine | Going Home Sarena talks to Samson about her feelings |
| 043 | Andersson | We Lost Paradise But... Nicole comforts Sofia |
| 044 | Dima | Packing and Unpacking Nicole goes to see Dayna Smith (Gemma) |
| 045 | Gemma | Personal Reflections Gemma returns to the BASTET |
| 046 | Mitshiba | A Sorrow-filled Farewell Aki talks to Nicole about their leaving ELYSIA |
| 047 | Iverson | No Looking Back The BASTET returns to its home dimension |
| 048 | Valentine | Asking A Few Questions Sarena asks Gemma for some help |
| 049 | Dima | Bright Future Nic meets with Selene |
| 050 | Mitshiba | Far-Reaching Implications Aki and Wimda analyse the sensor data |
| 051 | Iverson | Unexpected Twist The BASTET heads for the nearest comm relay |
---
"The Ultimate Decision"
(Previous Post: (ANU) "Ambassadorial Duties" / (BAS) "Impossible Odds")
---
Selene felt light, weightless and the pain coursing through her body seemed somehow lessened because of it. Her movements required little efforts as no force seemed to oppose them, this lead the Captain to ponder the ultimate question that all sentient life sooner or later found themselves asking... am I dead?
---
Setting: USS BASTET, Bridge
Stardate: 34005.2245
The collision was soft but enough to make Selene realize that she was far from dead. Opening her eyes she could see the occasional flickering lights that illuminated the floating debris as well as the members of her senior staff who had been on the bridge at the time of the explosion. Every station she managed to look at was dark, if not destroyed; this hinted that the primary systems on board the BASTET were offline including, for obvious reasons, artificial gravity. Judging by the staleness of the air she breathed, it was safe to assume that life support was also not operational which meant that she needed to act, quickly.
"Commander Valentine!" The First Officer had been the one who collided with the Captain waking her from her weightlessness induced trans, and now it was Selene who needed to return the favour. "Commander Valentine! Wake up!"
The verbal command combined with vigorous shaking achieved the intended goal causing the woman to wake with a startle. "What happened?" The Commander inquired while looking around trying her best to ascertain what had taken place. It took a few extra seconds for Sarena to get her bearings due to the fact that the floor of the command deck was not where it should have been, namely to her side instead of beneath her. "Artificial gravity is offline," the First Officer said, the realization having come a split second after her understanding that they had not perished in the explosion she remembered as the last thing she and the others had experienced.
"Feels like life support may also be offline, not to mention the main computer" Iverson explained. "We need to make restoring life support our top priority. Once that is done we can focus on assessing the extent of the damages and attend to the injured."
"What about the Lokustaar vessel that was chasing us?" The question was normal given what they had just gone through even though they were in no shape to do anything about whatever situation they were now in.
"My guess is that they are either disabled or destroyed," the Captain replied looking at the inactive main display located at the front of the bridge. "Either way, they were not able to finish the job they started. So we may have gotten ourselves some time, therefore we need to restore our systems as quickly as possible so as to not give them, or anyone else, the chance to finish us."
"I will go down to Main Engineering," Valentine said. "I should be able to get there a little faster than usual thanks to artificial gravity not working."
"If possible, see if you can restore emergency internal communications," Iverson suggested. "It will make it easier for us to coordinate efforts throughout the ship and get a faster overview of how bad of a shape we are in."
Sarena nodded her head and quickly pushed and pulled herself to the nearest crawlspace access panel into which she easily disappeared into. With the First Officer clear on her task, the Captain shifted her attention to the other members of her staff currently on the bridge. It was Lieutenant Mitshiba, the Chief Science Officer who caught the scrutiny of the Captain next. The Asian woman had somehow found her way under the science station where she normally worked; this made it a lot harder for the officer to be seen by others.
Using whatever the Captain could get a hold off, Selene pushed her way through the stale air to see if Misaki was all right. The startled reaction of the woman upon being touched was actually a welcomed one as it demonstrated that the Lieutenant was alive.
"That must have been one powerful hit," Mitshiba said looking around and analysing what she was seeing. "Do we know what hit us first? As powerful as the Lokustaar energy weapon is, if it impacted out shields first, it might have had enough force to push us out of the danger zone of the shockwave created by the exploding quantum torpedoes. On the other hand, if the wave hit us first, it means that the Lokustaar vessel was already caught in the force of the explosion and that could have caused them to lose their targeting resolution. Either way, I guess it does not truly matter as we are alive." Misaki paused for a moment as she looked directly into the eyes of her Commanding Officer. "We are alive, right?"
The Captain smiled. "Yes, Lieutenant, we are alive although the BASTET appears to be in a rather bad state."
"Main power is clearly out as well as artificial gravity and," she stopped to take a deep breath to confirm what she suspected. "Yup, life support is also out, my guess is that is has been this way for not that long although we can already begin to tell that the air is thinning. I can go down to Main Engineering and see what I can do on that regards."
Clearly, the woman was not injured, or if she was the rush of adrenaline was making it so that she did not feel it. Either way, the Captain was glad to see her eagerness and readiness to help. "Commander Valentine is already on her way to Main Engineering to address our need to re-establish life support. She is also going to see if she can restore emergency internal communications."
"Emergency communications will be too limited. We need full communications in order to reach every section of every deck. If the main computer is down, that will not be possible, so with your permission Captain I will head to Deck 4 and access the main computer frame from there. If there is no physical damage to the core, I should be able to plug in some of the emergency power packs, which at the very least should get some of our systems online, such as communication and sensors. We might not be able to do much, but at least the crew will not be isolated from one another and we might be able to see what is happening out there."
"Go!" Iverson said feeling quite reassured that their situation would soon improve thanks to the efforts of Commander Valentine and Lieutenant Mitshiba. The next task for the Captain was to locate Ensign Dean and make sure that he too was all right. The more people she could get to help, the better their odds were to bring the BASTET back to some level of working condition before the Lokustaar returned.
---
Setting: USS BASTET, Infirmary
Stardate: 34005.2300
"NICOLE! Where are you?" Sofia was in a panic as she forced her way through a sea of small devices that floated about making it impossible for her to see anything. In the mess that was the infirmary, the Chief Medical Officer had managed to find her patient Gemma but the Trill Counsellor had yet to be located. "NIC! This is no time for you to play games. Where are you?" The Doctor was in tears as her fears rapidly grew beyond her ability to reason away. "It is entirely my fault, why did I not listen to you."
"You never listen," the Counsellor softly said as she reached up to grab the foot that was passing within range. "That is just the person you are, that and you are rather loud when you are scared." Her voice was weak and indicated distinct signs of disorientation, but that was set aside in favour of the Doctor having found her at all.
"NICOLE!" Sofia screams in an explosion of unbridled joy. "YOU ARE ALL RIGHT!" It took some effort but the Doctor managed to grab hold of the woman she had been so desperate to find.
"You are loud when you are scared *and* happy," the Trill said correcting her last statement as they merged into an emotional embrace. "Are you all right? How is Gemma?" Nicole already sounded stronger as she become increasingly aware of the situation they were in.
"I lost my tricorder during whatever it was that happened to us, and we lost artificial gravity shortly after. I saw Gemma floating about back there but I wanted to find you, I needed to find you."
"Well, here I am," the Counsellor smiled as the two women held onto each other so that they could remain face-to-face despite there not being anything for them to anchor themselves to. A storm of emotions raged between them and for a moment both forgotten about the predicament they were confronted with. In the middle of this absolute chaos, they had found a small island of peace to call their own.
That moment of tranquility was short-lived though as the lights returned to full illumination quickly followed by the artificial gravity also being restored. Although the gravity gradually returned, due to their holding on to each other, the Chief Medical Officer and Counsellor ended up on the floor surrounded by everything else that had been floating around them.
The two women smiled at each other.
"We should check on Gemma," Nicole suggested.
"Agreed," Sofia said before they each rolled away from each other before getting up back to their feet.
---
Setting: USS BASTET, Observation Lounge
Stardate: 34005.2330
As each officer walked into the meeting room, their gaze automatically fell onto the scene beyond the large windows. Everyone was unsure as to what to make of the lack of the ominous red clouds they had found themselves surrounded by upon their arrival into the home dimension of the Lokustaar. Something had changed, but what?
"I know that there are a great many questions to be addressed," the Captain said as she welcomed her senior staff. "We will do our best to answer them all. First, Lieutenant Mitshiba can answer, as best she can, the question that I am sure is on all of your minds."
"Please bear with me," the Asian woman offered as a start. "We have absolutely no idea where we are, but on the good side of things I can confirm that we are not in the Lokustaar dimension. Aside from the obvious visual clues," she said pointing to the starscape beyond the windows of the Observation Lounge, "the background cosmic radiation is also completely different. We are in another dimension, one that we have no previous data on."
"I thought that the Dimensional Jump Drive was locked onto the Lokustaar energy? Was it not why we were told that we would never be able to return home?" Ensign Dean asked, openly voicing his frustrations and confusion.
"The initial scans of the Dimensional and Temporal Drives showed that both were submitted to an exceptionally large energy influx that we suspect came from the combined effects of the Lokustaar energy weapon and shockwave created by the detonation of the quantum torpedoes," Valentine explained. "When the extra energy was diverted to the aft shields, all this energy interacted in a strange and unexpected manner causing a massive feedback that swept through Main Engineering. The best we can figure is that this strange combination of energy triggered the drives and brought us here, wherever this is."
"That means we are no longer locked into the Lokustaar dimension, so let us fix the drive and get back home," the Flight Control Officer said, his one and only goal being to return to his daughters.
"Unfortunately, it is not going to be that simple, Ensign," the First Officer added. "Far from it. The energy that was channeled back into the Dimensional Jump Drive as well as the Temporal Drive was powerful enough to damage them both beyond our ability to repair them."
"If sensors are working, could we not search for a civilization capable of helping us?" Nicole suggested.
"Even if it takes a few months, at least we would still be working on us getting home," Sofia added, jumping onto the optimism train.
"Sensors are working," Misaki confirmed before biting her lip and looking back at Sarena.
"The warp core was also damaged beyond repair in that energy overload," Commander Valentine explained, pressing her lips together in order to maintain her composure. "The best we have as far as propulsion is impulse power."
"All right," the Doctor accepted, clearly not willing to give up just yet. "So the trip will take years instead of months. We can still find someone out there to help us get home, no?" Sarena just glanced over at Selene, both senior most officers remaining silent.
"That is not the end of our problems, is it?" The Counsellor asked recognizing the expression on both the faces of their First Officer and Commanding Officer.
"Without the warp core providing the BASTET with primary power, we are left only with emergency generators, and several of them were also made inoperative due to the energy overload," Sarena offered. "We do not have the means to repair or replace them at this time, and by the looks of things we never will."
"Life support is drawing more power than we can generate at this time," the Captain added. "This means that, even at reduced levels, our emergency reserves are being steadily depleted with no ways for us to replenish them."
"I guess that taking artificial gravity offline once again is not going to make that much of a difference, will it?" Sofia said, trying to smile as she did so but finding herself on the verge of tears.
"This can't be," Ashton argued, slamming his closed fists on the table. "You cannot tell me that we survived that Lokustaar attack and even found our way out of their nightmare dimension only be find ourselves stuck here with nowhere to go other than wait for our deaths?"
"I understand your frustration Ensign, and things are not without hope," Iverson offered. "Sensors have identified an M-Class planet in a nearby system. We could reach it in just over two weeks at impulse power."
"So what are we waiting for? If I have to I will put on an EVA suit and push us in that direction," the Flight Control Officer said.
"We have enough resources to make it there, but once we arrive in orbit we will be incapable of leaving," Commander Valentine explained. "This would be a one-way trip."
"Aki, what have the long-range sensors picked up on that world?" The physician asked of the scientist.
"The planet is covered with lush vegetation with several large oceans and lakes," Misaki answered in a way that hinted there was more.
"But?" Nicole asked, joining in the unexpected interrogation of their own Chief Science Officer.
"There are no signs of any advance civilization on that planet," Iverson said having been given the report before the senior staff meeting. "In fact, there seems to be no civilization whatsoever on that planet."
"The atmospheric readings point to it being a primordial world in the middle to late stages of early biological development," Mitshiba explained. "The planet appears to be perfect for animal life, but I could not find any signs of even the most rudimentary settlements. I am sure that this planet would allow us to survive, maybe even provide us with some basic comforts, but it would certainly not offer any sort of help in solving our engineering problems."
"So our only choices are to possibly die in space or spend the rest of our miserable lives on that planet? I say we try our chances out there," Ashton forcefully voiced pointing at the nearest window. "At least that way we will not have given up on going home."
"As long as there is life, there is hope," Nicole somberly countered.
"Thank you Counsellor," Selene said. "This meeting is for us to get things in place for a decision to be taken by the crew as to what we do next. I understand that many amongst the crew may not wish to make their opinion known to the others, so I am offering for us to hold a secret ballot. This decision is too big for only a few to decide for the others. Everyone will be asked to make a decision quickly in order to make sure we have as much energy reserves as possible to reach whatever goal is decided upon. I will make a ship-wide announcement following this meeting and hope to have the results within the hour. Dismiss."
---
Jessica Solarik
Captain Selene Fiona Iverson [Access Character BIO for Selene Iverson]
Commanding Officer
USS BASTET
&
Lieutenant Commander Maya [Access Character BIO for Maya]
Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS
"To see the world in a grain of sand,
and a heaven in a wild flower.
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
and eternity in an hour."
- William Blake (British, 1757-1827)
[/\] [/\] [/\] [/\] [/\]
"The Right Choice"
[previous post (ANU) "Ambassadorial Duties" / (BAS) "The Ultimate Decision")]
Setting: USS BASTET, Bridge
Stardate: 34006.0000
"One hell of a way to start a new day," the Executive Officer said once only the CO and she were left in the Observation Lounge. "If it makes you feel any better, you made the right decision. This is too big for you, me or even just the command staff to decide on our own."
"Thank you," Selene said but the woman remained outwardly unemotional as she turned to gaze upon the vast unknown that stretched beyond the windows of the Observation Lounge. "So many stars, so many possible worlds and civilizations, and they are all out of range with one single exception."
"We were lucky in our misfortune," Sarena said as she joined the Commanding Officer in her admiration of the unknown distant stars. "We could have been destroyed by that Lokustaar energy beam or found ourselves with truly nowhere to go. Instead, we are here, alive and with the possibility of a future that we would not have been able to enjoy any other way. Somehow, I doubt that we would have found a hospitable planet for us to call home in that red cloudy soup those Shadows call home."
"So we trade one type of exile for another, but I guess you are right," Selene said before turning to look at Sarena. "Since when have you been the 'glass if half-full type'? As I recall, you were always the one to point out the shortcomings of whatever situation we ended up in. Have you been speaking with Counselor Dima lately?"
"Not really," the Executive Officer smiled. "I guess I'm just learning by osmosis. Also, at this point, my looking at things on the pessimist side of things will not help any of us. I have to give the crew something positive to hold on to, whatever that may be."
"Does Nicole know that you are after her job?" The Captain asked, actually allowing for a faint smile to appear on her lips.
"I would not worry about it if I were you," the Executive Officer said. "I know my place and limitations, and being a morale officer is not what I was ever meant for. Nicole Dima is the perfect person for that task, and I know that she will be there for you and everyone else to help people make peace with whatever the final decision ends up being."
"Life as pioneers on a primordial world where every day will be a struggle to survive, or us wandering aimlessly out there hoping to run into a friendly and helpful race able of interplanetary travels. To be honest, I am not entirely sure which is the lesser of the two."
"The uncertainty of life is always preferable to the certainty of death," Sarena said, paraphrasing Nicole's earlier statement about life and hope.
"Now I know that you have spent too much time around Counselor Dima, you are starting to almost identical to her. Changing subject, how bad is it down in Main Engineering?"
"The warp core would not even be accepted at a non-Federation scrap yard. There is absolutely nothing salvageable and the entire Matter/Anti-Matter Assembly would need to be replaced. Even is we did find another spacefaring race in this unknown dimension, the odds are that their technology would not be compatible with ours," Valentine replied. "Without a warp core to power the Dimensional Drive or even the Temporal Drive, both of which had been completely blown into pieces by the latest energy overload, we are here to stay, that we like it or not. Our best course of action is to make ourselves as comfortable as possible."
"There's the Executive Officer I knew and love I will admit that I like it better when you are on the more realistic, if not gloomy, side of things. Now, what about Gemma? What is the latest report on from Doctor Andersson on her?"
"Last report from Sofia shows that she is recuperating, at least her nanites are, as the Doctor is still unable to get any actual readings on the woman's physiology. Unfortunately, that means there is no telling when or if she will wake up," the Executive Officer answered.
"I would have liked for her to have a voice in this decision," Iverson said. "She had a big role to play in us making it this far."
"Speaking of which, there is still the question of that unexpected energy spike that came from the Infirmary and alerted the Lokustaar to our presence. I was expecting you to ask Doctor Andersson about it during the meeting," Valentine said.
"It would not change anything," the Captain pointed out, returning her gaze to the distant stars. "It is my choice not to pursue this. If Sofia was somehow responsible, she will be feeling guilty enough without having me making it worse. If Gemma was for some inexplicable reason the cause of that signal, it would again not change the situation we are in. That ship might have discovered us regardless of that signal and we might have been able to react the same way we did which means that we would not be here. Right now, I believe it best to focus on the road that is ahead of us instead of trying to argue as to why we are here as there is nothing we can do to go back."
"Now it is you that is starting to sound like Counselor Dima," Sarena chuckled.
"We are at a crossroads, and the choices me make from this point on will irrevocably shape our lives for the days, weeks or maybe even years to come. So I choose to not hold on to anger or doubt, but instead keep my eyes forward in whatever direction the crew will decide for us to venture to."
"You are right. That is the right choice."
[/\] [/\] [/\] [/\] [/\]
Karen Price
Commander Sarena Valentine [Access Character BIO for Sarena Valentine]
Executive Officer
USS BASTET, NCC 74977
“Together, Alone”
[Previous Posts: (ANU) "Gambit of Shadows" / (BAS) "The Right Choice"]
=/\=
“Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”
-Winston Churchill
=/\=
Setting: TRILLIUS PRIME (Trill Homeworld), city of Vrans, Laboratory
Time Index: The year 2336
Zaccarias Dima adjusted the spectral scope, endeavoring to bring the tiny cells info focus. He had been expecting to see a change in the virus samples, which he had exposed to a series of genetically engineered antibodies. It had been a standardized period of time. But there was nothing… yet. He exhaled, moving to the next slide, pushing a strand of salt-and-pepper hair away from his eyes.
A tall, lithe female quietly entered. Her dark red hair, so dark that it had a brownish cast under the artificial lighting, was loosely plaited, and she was wearing an ivory and taupe caftan. “Come now Zaccarias. It’s long past the evening meal,” her mellifluous voice said. “Aren’t you tired?”
“Already?” he asked, glancing up at the chronometer, which easily confirmed the woman’s assessment. “I’m sorry, Vernet.”
Her face softened, but there was still an edge of frustration touching her features. “The samples will be waiting for you tomorrow, and a solid night’s sleep will help you better detect any anomalies in the morning. Besides,” she added playfully, “you promised.”
“To not push myself so hard, yes, I remember,” he said reluctantly as he logged the stopping point for his research. He placed his tools, the petri dishes and slides in their proper locations. While nature appeared chaotic, there was a higher order and design to things, and he craved order in his workspace as well. He needed be able to start the next day fresh.
“You are an honorable man. You are a good man.” Vernet said it like she was apologizing for reminding him to slow down.
“But it’s not enough,” he finished wearily.
“I did not say that.”
“You didn’t have to. In as much as I can feel your caring, I can also feel your disappointment.”
“You have found answers when no one else has been able to. That is due to your dedication.”
He agreed. “I still attest that I am a Scientist, and always will be. I have never given you any illusions or false hope in that regard. I’m not forcing you to remain at my side.”
Vernet stepped forward, embracing him. “My heart compels me to stay, even at the expense of my head. My love is not an illusion, either, Zac.” She was the only one who called him that, and it shook his emotions to the core in the tender way that she said it. She caressed his strong jaw, then took a few steps back. “You’ve never lied to me,” she continued. “You made it clear since we met that your devotion to the pursuit of academia was a priority. To be honest about that with one’s self is a strength. But I don’t know if I can ever be strong enough to leave you, even though I am aware you can never give me the life I wish.”
“Marriage and children,” he said flatly, dimming the lights. “Those are conventions I do not subscribe to. These experiments, and the papers I create from them, are my progeny. And my commitment is to my studies and my research. You must know this does not diminish my feelings for you.” He went to her, returning her embrace and kissing her forehead gently.
She pressed her palm into his chest comfortingly as they headed to bed. “I do know this. But, darling, there are many times, while we are together, when I feel completely alone.”
=/\=
Setting: USS BASTET, Infirmary
Stardate: 34006.0005
“That must have been difficult for them to tell us,” Nicole said thoughtfully as the two women had gone back to the medical department. She fully empathized with the CO and ExO.
“It wasn’t easy to hear,” Sofia added honestly. Even though she wasn’t a Counselor, the fear and concern among the crew was palpable, as was their worry. Their situation just kept getting worse and worse.
Ensign Dima took a deep breath. “You’re under no obligation to tell me your decision, but I think we should go to the planet. I’ve already made my mind up.”
Sofia wasn’t surprised. “There’s nothing to tell you just yet. I need a little more time to decide something so crucial. What if I make the wrong decision?”
“Rarely is there a wrong answer to anything,” Nic mused. “This is what makes life so difficult and so amazing. Two people can be polar opposites and utterly disagree on everything, and still both be right.”
“You forget- we can’t *choose* to do both. We can only pick one or the other, due to our limited resources. That means winners and losers. Some of the crew will have to ‘lose’, be on the losing end of the discussion.”
Nicole had walked over to a cabinet, rummaging through it, looking for some kind of field rations. She was suddenly starving and didn’t want to use energy from the replicators. “True. We are a military organization as our primary reason for existence, after all. We must move as a unit.” She came away with a protein bar, not gourmet by any means, but it would provide nutrition. She tossed one to Sofia before coming back. “The challenge, *my* challenge as a mental health professional, is to make those that ‘lost’ understand that although they were not in the majority, their voices were heard and their feelings were, and still are, valid. I am not ready for this next part of our journey, but I am more than ready to help with that.”
“Does your positive attitude have any limit?” If she hadn’t known Nicole as well as she did, she might have found the Counselor’s pluckiness annoying.
“I’m not sure I’m prepared to be hopeful,” she admitted through chewing noises. “But by the same token, I’m not going to give up. But, there is one thing that bothers me.”
“What is it?”
Nic put the food down, her hands in her lap, trying to keep them still, but continuing to gesture as she talked. “I’m only Dima’s fifth host. Knowing the symbiont would live on after I’m gone has been a great comfort to me. But now, there won’t be a chance of that if we’re fated to spend the rest of our lives marooned on a planet in the middle of nowhere.”
Sofia sat next to Nicole, attempting to console her. “Very few cultures have that kind of guarantee.”
“I know,” she answered somberly. “I will have to accept that. But at least I can count on knowing that we’ll all be together.”
=/\=
Susan Ledbetter
Writing for
"Imperfect Perfection"
Previous posts: (ANU) "Looking Into The Abyss" & (BAS) "Together, Alone"
///^\\\
Setting: BASTET, Mitshiba's Quarters
Stardate: 34006.0010
Alone and looking at the stars through the window of her quarters, Aki tried to smile. This was what she lived for, to explore the unknown and be part of process of discovery. They were in an unknown dimension with endless scientific possibilities and it mattered not if they made their way out into the open expanse or towards the planet, either way they would be dealing with something new, something that no one from their world had ever seen. So why was keeping on a smile proving to be so difficult?
Should she not be excited at the prospect of all these discoveries? Should she not be happy about all of the amazing discoveries that they would be making? At the very least, should she not be content about being alive after everything they had gone through? The ship and crew had survived against all odds while facing a superior enemy on their home dimension. Best part was that it appeared that they had won the fight, not only by escaping but by locking the Lokustaar in their own dimension. So why was she finding it so hard to be happy and smile?
The Asian woman was not stupid. She knew exactly why she could not fight back this aching feeling growing within her. As great and inviting as being here, in this unknown dimension, was for a scientist like her, the knowledge that this was the end of her journey created a sadness that could not be contained. Even taking into account all that they had accomplished and overcome, the victory still felt empty by their not being able to return home and see the fruits of their achievement. If that was not enough, the inability to smile was compounded by the fact that she and the rest of the crew needed to make a difficult decision. Whatever decision was reached, they would all be locked on a final course from which she and the others would never be able to come back from.
The BASTET was damaged beyond repair and along with it were their hopes of every being able to return home. The only thing they could do was to make the best of this situation, but the question remained, where would they do this? Heading into space did give them a chance, as slight as it may be, to encounter some technologically advanced civilization. Of course, this did not guarantee that these people, or whatever else they were, would be able or even willing to help. The odds were on even money that any culture they came across would want to destroy them as invaders to their dimension instead of helping a group of lost explorers to get home. Even if this yet to be discovered civilization embraced a more altruistic philosophy, there were still no assurances that they would be able to help given the extent of the damage reported by Commander Valentine. Simply put, there was no way to know both the extent and compatibility of their technology as compared to their own.
Aki lowered her head in despair as a few tears caressed her cheeks as they fell. They did not even need to look into another dimension to find a civilization with completely different and incompatible technology. All she had to do was to look at the Romulans and their method of drawing energy from a miniature quantum singularity to power their ships. If this was not proof enough, there was always the Tholians who used crystalline composites echoing their own biological form to create and even power their vessels. What were the odds of them finding a civilization advanced enough to travel between the stars and which used technology remotely similar to their own?
It was far more likely, if they ventured out into space instead of towards the planet and regardless if they encountered another civilization or not, that their journey would end out there. After spending the last of their energy they would end up drifting in this uncharted space waiting for the air to finally run out or the frigid coldness of the emptiness around them to collapse in onto them. Neither provided an appealing vision on what was to come if they headed out into space, which left them with only one truly valid option -- the planet.
Once there, they would be able to reach the surface and start a new life. The potential for scientific discoveries would certainly keep her going for quite some time, maybe even for an entire lifetime, and the best part was that they would not be waiting for the end to creep up on them. Aki understood that many might not see it this way and opt to venture out and take the chance, as limited as it was, to find help, but for the Asian scientist the decision was a simple one that had already been made. As imperfect as the situation was, there was only one solution that she could accept and embrace, and the more she thought about it, the more perfect it seemed.
With her decision made, Aki turned and headed for the computer terminal to register her vote. She gazed at the monitor for several seconds debating one last time the decision she needed to make, and again all of the points she had brought up stood firmly as she had seen them the first time. There was only one choice for her and with the press of a single finger on the screen, her decision was recorded. All that could be done now was for her to wait and see what the rest of the crew had decided to do.
///^\\\
Dawn Bohr
Lieutenant Misaki 'Aki' Mitshiba [Access Character BIO for Misaki Mitshiba]
Chief Science Officer
USS BASTET - NCC 74977
=-=
"An Easy Decision"
[the previous post was (ANU) "One Explanation" by Rachel / (BAS) "Imperfect Perfection" by Dawn]
=-=
Setting: USS BASTET, Infirmary
Stardate: 34006.0015
"Yes," Sofia gently said. "We will be together."
Sitting next to the Trill, her arms wrapped around her in loving comfort, the physician closed her eyes and took in the woman's fragrance. This situation would be hard on everyone, no matter which way the final decision went. That they headed out into uncharted space or set a course for the nearby and unknown M-Class world, everyone would be leaving something behind. Friends, family, dreams, and hopes were the casualties of their being here, this no matter if they survived or not. The only way to make this loss slightly more bearable was for them to be there for one another in whatever way they could, offering support, compassion and even love whenever possible. As difficult as is might prove to be, they all needed to accept their fate and make the best of it.
Sofia might have come across as a hard sell on the upcoming vote, but the truth was that her decision had already been made. She would go wherever Nicole went but, of course, the Doctor could not openly admit to this for fear that the Counselor would see this as something that it was not. Her choosing to follow no matter what was not a show of weakness or some sort of desperate clinginess, and it was certainly not an inability to make a decision of her own free will. The CMO had chosen to stay by the CNS's side no matter where she went long before the BASTET found itself stuck in this new dimension with no way back. For her to do otherwise was simply unthinkable, unimaginable and as far as she was concerned bordered of sheer madness. Her feelings and emotions could not be ignored.
Maybe the physician had not been ready to admit this to herself, but in her heart, she knew this to have been true for quite some times. The Counselor had once said that she did not want to rush things, and that she did not want to put any undue pressure on them or what might come to be. Andersson was more than happy to concede that point to Dima, in fact, she was ready to concede the entire game if it meant that the Trill would be happy. Under that same mentality, Sofia found herself willing to take as much time as would be required because as far as she was concerned, Nicole was well worth the wait.
The physician smiled brightly as she felt the Counselor snuggle a little deeper into their embrace. Clearly, Nicole was finding comfort in this shared moment, a sentiment that Sofia echoed wholeheartedly in silence. As long as they were together, she knew that they would make it through whatever this place would throw their way. Allowing herself to think of the possibilities ahead of them, Doctor Andersson looked around the room her gaze stopping on a piece of equipment that she had used not too long ago.
Nicole sensed a drastic change in the way the woman holding her left. Her muscles suddenly tensed as her breathing quickened. "What's wrong?" The Counselor asked pulling away in order to see the Doctor's face, her eyes fixated on a medical tricorder. "Sofia, it was not your fault."
"You don't know that," the CMO said as tears flowed from her eyes and onto her cheeks.
"You are right, I don't know that, but there is one thing I do know. If that small device were the cause, even in some minute way, Captain Iverson, Commander Valentine or even both of them would have come down here to investigate what had taken place. At the very least, one of them would have pulled you aside after the senior staff meeting to ask about this. Since nothing like that happened, it means that they do not consider this a possibility, or at the very least one that is worth pursuing. The only person who believes that this is somehow important is you."
"How can you be so certain about this?"
"I'm the Ship's Counselor," Nicole said. "It is my job to know such things. Even if, and that is a big if, they believed what you claim happened to be true, the fact that neither one of them came down nor spoke to you means that they made a decision to ignore it. Knowing Selene and Sarena as I do, which granted may not be as much as I should or could, I can see them making such an easy decision. It is evident that nothing would be gained by lingering on what happened. Instead, it is far wiser to focus all of our time and limited resources to deal with what is."
Brushing the tears from her eyes, Sofia smiled as she looked into Nicole's enchanting blue eyes. "A woman of endless hope and eternal wisdom, how did this... crew ever manage to get so lucky?"
The Trill grinned. Although 'crew' had been spoken the Counselor clearly heard the hesitation that indicated that another word had been meant to be there, a word referring to a much small set that included only one person. "Are you ready to cast your vote?"
"I am," Sofia replied, again letting the tone in her voice say more than her words. Although she had not specifically stated what option she would select, Nicole knew the choice she would register with the computer. Maybe it was because of her skills in her chosen field of work, maybe it was because of the multiple lifetimes of experience she had accumulated, or maybe it was simply because the other woman was not in the least trying to hide her feelings. Whatever the reason was, Dima could read Andersson without any effort, and she found this to be endearing.
=-=
Tiffany Reeve
Commander Shar'El [Access Character BIO for Shar'El]
Executive Officer / Intel Liaison Officer
USS ANUBIS
[/\] [/\] [/\] [/\] [/\]
"Counting Down"
[previous post (ANU) "So Many Mysteries, So Little Time" / (BAS) "An Easy Decision")]
Setting: USS BASTET, Corridor
Stardate: 34006.0030
It was her responsibility, as Executive Officer, to deal with the crew of the BASTET, which currently stood, at 253 souls. Keeping that number in mind, Sarena found it disconcerting to find the corridors of the ship vacant making it appear as if the crew compliment was less than a handful. Given their situation though, it all made sense, everyone considering the choice they had to make in more private settings.
Although Valentine could not access the actual tally, she did have access to the list of people who had not yet cast their vote. With such an important decision hanging on the outcome, the Executive Officer wanted to make sure that everyone took the time to register his or her opinion. Captain Iverson had mentioned her fear that the final decision would come down to only a few votes making things that much more complicated for everyone. Justifying that it was the choice of the majority would be difficult enough with a 60-40 split or even a 70-30, but to face a 50+/50- vote would be a catastrophe that risked tearing the ship apart. The first thing to do was to ensure that all votes were cast; removing the argument that the outcome might have been different if the 'no votes' had gone one way or the other.
Sarena was pleased to see that more than half the crew, including the Chief Science Officer, Chief Medical Officer, and Ship's Counselor had already logged in their votes. Making such a choice could not have been easy and the Executive Officer understood that some would want to take as much time as available to consider the pros and cons of both options.
Scanning down the list of those who had not yet cast their vote, Valentine's eyes stopped on one particular name. "This might be difficult," the Commander noted to herself before heading to the nearest turbolift.
[/\] [/\] [/\] [/\] [/\]
Setting: USS BASTET, Infirmary
Stardate: 34006.0035
"Commander? What brings you here?" Doctor Andersson appeared both pleased and surprised all at the same time.
"Just going around making sure everyone casts their votes," Sarena said. "This decision is just too important to let too many people chose not to make a choice."
"Makes sense, but you have nothing to worry in our regards. We did," Nicole said coming into view of the Executive Officer. "Means that you are too late for you to try an influence our votes." The attempt at humor was appreciated but failed to make any of them smile. The situation was simply to emotionally draining and they understood that.
"I was scanning the list of those who had not yet voted and noticed her name," the Commander said looking over at the main examination table and the woman laying on top of it. "How is she doing? We all have been so busy with the situation that I fear we have forgotten about her."
"Physically she is fine," Doctor Anderson reported. "Her nanites are taking care of her body better than I could; they are also keeping me from getting any actual readings on her condition. I can only hope that they have and continue to take care of whatever might be wrong with her body."
"You keep mentioning her body," Sarena noted. "Guess that means you have no idea how her mind is doing."
"It is difficult to know how she is doing mentally at the best of times," Counselor Dima said. "At least when she is awake, we have clues as to her mindset by looking at the external manifestation of those thoughts and feelings. The personalities fighting for control surface when their respective knowledge and skills are required as long as Gemma is emotionally ready for them to take over. We have yet to see any such display since her return, so either there is no conflict or it is buried so deep in her mind that her body fails to acknowledge it."
"Either way, I strongly doubt that she will wake up in time to cast her vote," Sofia regretfully said.
"One vote," the Executive Officer sighed. "We will just have to wait and see if it will actually make a difference. In the meantime, take care of her and let me know if her condition changes."
The Trill Counselor smiled, recognizing actual concern in the eyes of the Executive Officer. As rough as Gemma's integration into the crew had been, it was evident that she had obtained the support and respect of some including that of Sarena, which in itself was not a small or insignificant achievement.
[/\] [/\] [/\] [/\] [/\]
Karen Price
Commander Sarena Valentine [Access Character BIO for Sarena Valentine]
Executive Officer
USS BASTET, NCC 74977
"Planning Either Way"
Previous posts: (ANU) "Slipping Further Into Darkness" & (BAS) "Counting Down"
///^\\\
Setting: BASTET, Astrometrics Lab
Stardate: 34006.0045
The deadline set by the Captain for the votes was quickly approaching. This only made the Asian woman work that much faster as time was running out. With only two options available to them, Aki decided to research them both as the scientist she was and not let her emotions get in the way. Should could have just as easily stayed in her quarters waiting for the results, but that was simply not the person she was. Being busy was a much better alternative.
Two workstations were used for this little project of hers. The first displayed a three-dimensional map of the stars surrounding them with suggested courses for the BASTET to take to increase their odds of encountering any spacefaring civilization that might be out there. With the sensors not operating at their best, a lot of the information used by the CSciO had been educated guesses and instinct, but still, Aki was rather pleased by the result. The second station displayed a holographic recreation of the nearby planet that appeared as a green marble with streaks of bright blue. Even for this distance, the world appeared to be an ecological paradise with lush vegetation and mountain ranges that rose beyond the clouds.
As her vote indicated, that planet was the option she preferred, because not only it was a dream come true for a scientist like herself but also because it made more sense to go to a place where they would be able to live instead of risking death in the cold emptiness of space.
"Lieutenant Mitshiba, what are you working on?" Captain Iverson asked startling the CSciO. Aki had been so busy with her work that she had not noticed the arrival of someone else in the room or them walking up to stand right behind her.
"Captain?" The Asian woman gasped holding on to her chest. "You scared me half to death."
"Sorry," the woman offered, looking with great interest at the two imposing holographic displays. "Interesting, you are looking at our two options. Why?"
"I figured that whatever way the vote goes, we will need information in order for us to make as good a decision as possible as far as to how we proceed," Aki explained. "Here," she said pointing at the three-dimensional star map, "I have laid out a few options as to what heading we could use taking into account what I believe would be the most likely trade routes between the star systems. Of course, there is no way to tell is any of those systems even have a technologically advanced civilization on them, let alone one able to travel between stars. It's all best case scenario."
"I see," the captain said, not appearing overly excited by the display letting Aki believe that the vote of their Commanding Officer matched her own. Turning to the holographic image of the planet, the CSciO Officer continued her explanation. "I thought it would also be useful for us to get as much information on that world as possible to facilitate our establishing a geosynchronous orbit over the area that we would be traveling down to. The planet is covered for the most part by thick vegetation with the occasional towering mountain peaks breaking through with rivers, lakes and deep oceans breaking the monotony. I was able to locate an area that seems to offer a fair amount of protection due to the proximity of the mountains while the presence of a nearby river will ensure access to clean, fresh water for the settlement. The area is flat enough to allow us to build houses with relative ease. Ease being subjective of course as I know that we will not have the energy reserves to just beam material into place or even replicate whatever tools we might need at the time."
"Yes," the Captain strongly agreed, which made Aki smile. "Our energy reserves *are* an issue and will be even more so once we arrive there if we make it at all."
The Asian woman thought for a moment about what the Captain had said and quickly put everything together. The visit had not been a courtesy call or even one of curiosity, but an investigation as to the energy being used; energy that they had little of. "I am so sorry Captain," Aki said turning both of the holographic displays off as quickly as she could. "I just wanted to help and to keep busy so that I would not have to deal with the wait."
"I understand that waiting can and is often the hardest part of situations such as this one," Iverson said. "I also appreciate you wanting to make sure that we are as prepared as can be once the votes have been tallied. We are faced with a difficult situation and will all have to do our part to make things work as best as possible, this means that we will all have to learn and change our ways."
"Again, I am so sorry. I was not thinking about how much energy these holographic display would drain from our reserves," Aki was in a panic. Had she made them reaching that planet impossible due to her lack of considering the repercussions of her action? Had she doomed them all to death, here, unable to proceed according to the outcome of the vote?
"It is quite alright Lieutenant," Iverson said not sounding as upset as Aki feared she might be. "I doubt that those two holographic displays will make a huge difference in the end. Would have been nice if you had asked first, but I would have probably agreed because this was something we would have needed, no matter which way the vote goes. Energy consumption will be rationed to its bare minimum, and I am sure that no one will mind our being a little more informed instead of us truly going about things blindly. All I ask is for you to hold any further research until after the vote. That way, only one of the displays will be required instead of both."
"Of course Captain. Thank you for your understanding." Aki held her head low as the Captain exited the Astrometrics Lab. Here the CSciO wanted to help, and instead she had made things worse.
///^\\\
Dawn Bohr
Lieutenant Misaki 'Aki' Mitshiba [Access Character BIO for Misaki Mitshiba]
Chief Science Officer
USS BASTET - NCC 74977
---
"New Heading"
(Previous Post: (ANU) "Emotional Darkness" / (BAS) "Planning Either Way")
---
Setting: USS BASTET, Observation Lounge
Stardate: 34006.0100
The senior officers were gathered, sitting quietly around the table at their usual places when such a meeting was called, but this would not be a normal meeting. The fate of each and every soul on board the USS BASTET would be placed on a new heading following what was about to be said in the next few minutes.
Captain Iverson stood at the end of the conference table, meeting the anxious eyes of her officers, each one having accepted to abide by the decision that the crew would have reached through their votes. Although Selene did not know who voted what, the Commanding Officer knew those sitting in front of her well enough to forward a solid educated guess, but now, what mattered was for them each to accept the decision of the majority.
"Computer," the Captain said, "open a ship wide channel." The dire situation they all faced had forced Selene to take drastic measures, which involved the crew like no other time before, and it was only fair that their participation continued to the very end of this process. "This is the Captain speaking. You already know the situation we are in and the impossible decision we are faced with, and I wanted to make sure that everyone was part of what comes next. Now, let us proceed. Commander Valentine, has everyone voted?"
"Yes Captain," Sarena replied with a hint of hesitation, "with one exception; Lieutenant Gemma." No explanation was required. Everyone on board the BASTET knew how instrumental the woman had been in bringing them this far and it was with a shared sense of sorrow that she would be the only one not to have a voice in the decision being made. Following a short pause, the First officer continued. "Therefore, out of the 253 possible votes, the computer received and has tabulated 252."
A troubled hush took hold of room as everyone present considered the unthinkable. What if the vote was split perfectly down the middle? What then? How would the crew decide their next course of action in a way that would avoid resentment and maybe even chaos from spreading through the ship? Captain Iverson understood that every member of the crew was a professional, trained and prepared for the uncertainties of life on board the starship, but the circumstances of their predicament were anything but normal and loaded with emotions running high on both sides of the debate.
Again, the Captain met the concerned gazes of her senior officers, noting their individual reactions to this latest twist. Commander Valentine appeared ready to face the outcome, not allowing herself the luxury of thinking of that one single possibility amongst all others. Lieutenant Mitshiba was clear running the number in her head, coming up with the mathematical probabilities of a split vote occurring, taking into effect whatever scientific data the woman could think of at this time. On the other side of the table, and of the spectrum of reactions, Doctor Andersson and Counsellor Dima moved ever so slightly closer to one another. Although Selene could not see this, she suspected by the way the two women were positioned that they were holding hands beneath the table. Next to them was Ensign Dean who just stared back, impatiently waiting to see when they would get underway so that they could find the means for them to return home to his daughters.
"Very well," Selene said. There was nothing to be gained in trying to figure out what they would do without first knowing the actual result. "Computer, what are the results of the vote."
=/\= A total of 252 votes were cast, =/\= the computer started with, confirming earlier announcement of their First officer. =/\= The option for heading to the uninhabited nearby M-Class planet received 208 votes. The option to head into space in search of an advanced civilization that would help with repairs received 44 votes. =/\=
"Over 82 percent," Misaki said with astonishment and relief, the Chief Science Officer having done the math as quickly as any computer would have. Her feelings were shared by everyone else present with a single exception, the disappointment in Ensign Dean was palatable, but the man, to his credit, remained calm and in control of his emotions.
Iverson softly, quietly sighed. The final decision had proven to have a much greater difference between one side and the other than she could have expected. This meant that, for the most part, the crew would not be feeling like they had been forced into something they did not want. With that in mind, the Captain addressed the crew once more. "As per the decision of the majority, the BASTET will be heading to the nearby M-Class planet at maximum impulse. This means that we should be arriving in about two weeks. In the meantime, energy will be rationed to its absolute minimum in order to allow us to reach our destination and establish orbit. Once we have arrived, we will use the last remaining energy to transport everything we can to the planet surface and start building a new life there. During the travel, Counsellor Dima, Commander Valentine and myself will be available should anyone wish to talk. Thank you all for your cooperation in this must unusual situation. Iverson out."
"Heading and approach vector have already all been figured out," Misaki announced, the Asian woman appearing ready to bounce out of her chair. "All I have to do is feed the coordinates into the flight computer."
"I will help you," Ashton said. As unhappy that the decision had not gone the way he wanted, the Flight Control Officer seemed ready and willing to follow the majority, this without letting go of his hopes and dreams to one day be reunited with his family.
"Good," Selene said before turning her attention to the Chief Medical Officer and Counsellor. "Nicole, I would appreciate you making yourself fully available for not only those who voted for us to head into space but also for the others. I am sure that the next two weeks are going to be very emotional for many. Sofia, with life support at minimum, I will need you to be ready to help with various medical issues that might surface." Both women smiled and nodded their understanding of their respectively assigned tasks.
"I will head to Main Engineering and see if I can't find a way to get a little more juice out of the emergency generators," Sanera said. "Whatever bit of extra energy we might be able to get is sure to help make the journey that much less uncomfortable for us. Plus, to be perfectly honest, I might not be able to make it on two weeks of emergency field rations." The Captain and First Officer shared a quick knowing nod of their heads.
"Time for us to head to that M-Class planet," Captain Iverson said, inviting everyone to stand and get to work.
"Captain," Misaki said as she stood. "This is a brand new dimension for us; therefore nothing has been seen let alone named. It would be nice if we could give that world a better designation than 'that M-Class Planet'. After all, it is our goal to make it our new home."
"Alright," Selene agreed. "We have two weeks to come up with a name for our new home. That should help to keep us busy during that time. Dismiss."
---
Jessica Solarik
Captain Selene Fiona Iverson [Access Character BIO for Selene Iverson]
Commanding Officer
USS BASTET
&
Lieutenant Commander Maya [Access Character BIO for Maya]
Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS
"To see the world in a grain of sand,
and a heaven in a wild flower.
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
and eternity in an hour."
- William Blake (British, 1757-1827)
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"Nice and Easy"
[previous post (ANU) "Emotional Darkness" / (BAS) "New Heading")]
Setting: USS BASTET, Corridor
Stardate: 34006.0130
The general illumination was so low that the Executive Officer had to keep her hand on the wall to make sure she would not run into things. To ensure that the BASTET reached its destination, as voted by a surprisingly large majority of the crew, power usage was reduced to absolute minimal levels. Sarena hoped that once in Main Engineering she would find a way to general a little more power to help ease the hardships they would all have to be dealing with for the next two weeks.
As Valentine cautiously made her way down the sparsely lit corridor, she began to think about the planet they were heading for. Going to an unknown and previously unexplored world was not something new to them, but thinking of a name to call that place by made it clear that this was not a standard exploration mission. In fact, there had not been anything standard about their recent mission, so why should anyone expect this latest chapter to be any different from the previous ones?
The more Sarena thought about a possible name, the more the permanency of their future took root in her mind. They were not heading to 'that M-Class planet' to see what it was like, or even to take part in some extended survey of what Misaki reported to be a more than abundant fauna. The BASTET and its crew were heading there for good, as they would not have the means to go anywhere else once they made orbit. Those thoughts had been in her head before, especially when considering the only two options that were available, but now those same thoughts took on a completely different connotation. This would be their final voyage, as they did not possess the means to repair their ship. The next two weeks would mark their last travel amongst the stars. Once at the yet-to-be-named-world, the crew would make their way to the surface and create a new life for themselves, making the best they could of their situation.
As exciting as this prospect might have been, it was also rather scary, maybe even terrifying. As trained Starfleet Officers, the crewmembers of the BASTET had an impressive range of skills and knowledge, but very little of these skills could be applied to the establishment of a permanent settlement. This was not to say that Sarena believed they would not be able to accomplish this, quite the contrary, but the Executive Officer understood that there would be a sizable learning curve for everyone, including her. There would be numerous obstacles for them to overcome, some standard and expected, others unpredictable and depending on whatever they would find on this new world, their new home. Finding water, food, and shelter would only be the start of what could take months if not years to complete in order to create a viable living environment. One thing was certain though, there was no going back, not that they had anywhere *back* to go to.
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Setting: USS BASTET, Main Engineering
Stardate: 34006.0145
The Executive Officer stood in front of the imposing pitch-black column normally responsible for the generation of all power for the ship. Seeing the heart of the BASTET in such a state was not easy, cementing in its dark coldness the extent of their situation. From the warp core, Sarena turned her attention to the Dimensional Jump and Temporal Drives, the two highly specialized pieces of equipment that were now as useless as the core. The energy surge had swept through these sensitive pieces of equipment affected them like a run-away bull shattering the very casings that housed them. Just looking at them it was easy to see that any effort to repair would be futile.
Even if they had access to the resources of their base of operation, the repairs would likely take several months and include the complete replacement of the ship's Mater/Antimatter Reaction Assembly. The Dimensional-Drive and Temporal-Drive would be another matter entirely as the Executive Officer was not even certain that they could be returned to operational status. Right now though, Sarena needed to keep her mind on what she could do, or at the very least on the hopes of what she could do, which was to have the generators provide a little more power.
Improving the efficiency of the CO2 scrubbers would not go unnoticed by the crew, as would an increase of the available replicator food rations, however small they might be. As strange as the low illumination was, it was something that they all could relatively get used to, that was as long as things were not left unattended on the floor for someone to crash their toes into. Reducing artificial gravity could also prove to be an interesting energy conservation method but it might lead to problems once they reach their new home and find themselves less accustomed to any sort of gravity keeping their feet firmly on the ground.
Sarena grinned and took a long deep breath in. The key right now was to focus on the positive side of things. They were alive and heading towards a planet that their Chief Science Officer had described as a possible natural paradise, at least from where they stood. Over the next two weeks, they would be able to gather more information on the unnamed world and plan the establishment of a settlement accordingly. They were going as fast as they could, doing as much as they could and stressing over things would only make matters worse, so it was best for them all to just take it nice and easy.
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Karen Price
Commander Sarena Valentine [Access Character BIO for Sarena Valentine]
Executive Officer
USS BASTET, NCC 74977
=-=
"Awakened Fears"
[the previous post was (ANU) "Red Line" / (BAS) "Nive and Easy"]
=-=
Setting: USS BASTET, Infirmary
Stardate: 34006.0130
It is a common occurrence for people to have their minds busy with thoughts and dreams while their bodies are at rest. Gemma was not an exception to this. In fact, one could say that she was the perfect example of this phenomenon. Even in the deepest of sleep, her mind worked to understand the endless universe that surrounded her. Sometimes it would be through the eyes of an awe-stricken Priestess. Ema could see beauty and peace in everything she saw. Other times, it would be through the meticulous study of a scientist. Wimda had a unique way of looking at things, wanting to understand the 'how' and 'why' of everything. There were occasions when it was the artist who took in the universe's inspiration. Saha would look upon the myriad of colors and forms scattered over the canvas of space.
As it had happened countless times before, today would be no different. While her body was being attended to by the nanites coursing through her body, her mind rushed to make sense of everything. This time though, it was through the eyes of an assassin that she gazed upon the cosmos. Memories of her battle against the Lokustaar haunted her thoughts and shaped her dreams. Even knowing that the creature was dead did not save her from the images that continued to invade her mind.
Since her return to the BASTET, the unseen conflict had raged within the ILO. The battle for control of the healing body was fierce and the outcome was not in the least bit surprising. The search for beauty, the quest for understanding, the desire for inspiration were no match for the desire to survive. That is why it was the redhead Russian assassin who opened her eyes. From that moment on, it only took her a couple of heartbeats for the woman to get to her feet. Anya recognized her surroundings but she still found them strange, different. The Infirmary was sparsely lit, but more troubling was that no one else was here present.
According to what she was seeing, the Russian woman knew that she was on the BASTET. Her feelings and fears though made her question this fact. If this was actually where she believed this place to be, why were the lights off? If this was the ship she had been serving on, where were the other officers?
Anya heard two distinct sets of footsteps approaching in the corridor. Responding with her heightened sense of survival, the Russian quickly dodged out of sight. When the door opened and the CMO and CNS walked in, Anya remained hidden. The endless nightmares brought on by her battle with the Lokustaar were making her question everything. Several voices within her head begged for her to trust these people, going as far as to call them friends. The assassin knew little about friendship, but she knew a great deal about survival. Using the shadows that filled the room, Anya Petrov easily made her way to the back door. The escape was made that much easier thanks to the women being distracted by the discovery of an empty examination bed.
The dark, shadow-filled corridor made the Russian woman believe that her nightmare was still going on. Yes, this looked like her ship, and yes, people appeared as they should, but something was not right. If this was a nightmare, why were there no fires or Lokustaar beasts trying to kill her? If this was reality, where were the other members of the crew? Why had the lights been made to be so low? Anya could think of only one place she would be able to obtain the answers she sought. Having memorized the BASTET's schematics even before her posting, she knew how to get there without being seen.
=-=
Setting: USS BASTET, Main Engineering
Stardate: 34006.0140
The assassin crawled out of a maintenance access panel and came face-to-face with the warp core. It was completely cold and lifeless, letting the woman believe that this was actually another nightmare. Although much nicer than any of the other visions of hell she had endured, this one was still very unpleasant. Seeing the BASTET like this was making her feel things that she had always tried to suppress. Emotions were a sign of weakness, a liability that could be exploited by others. In a universe of murderous dangers, survival, more often than not, depended on her not feeling anything.
Surveying the darkened room, Anya noticed the state of their Dimensional and Temporal drives. This being a nightmare, it made sense that these two pieces of equipment were in as bad a shape as she saw them be. Although this did not really bother her, it did play on how she knew others would see this. For the majority of the crew, returning home was the one thing they wished for the most. It was the sound of someone working that made the Russian Assassin turn. Again using the surrounding shadows, she approached the source of this noise. It was Cmdr Valentine working on one of the few operational generators. Was the woman sabotaging them? Was she the cause for the state of the BASTET?
Anya stood right behind Sarena, unseen and unheard. The assassin could easily reach down and snap the woman's neck. She could just as easily impale her using any of the loose pipes that were within arm's length. Either way, killing the First Officer might just put an end to this nightmare.
The voices inside her head were screaming for her to stop. The Priestess begged Anya not to do this. The Scientist urged the assassin to evaluate all of the available evidence. Even the Dinaaly bleeding heart joined in to stop the Russian from acting as she thought was necessary. This caused her to hesitate long enough to permit Cmdr Valentine to notice the woman standing behind her.
"Gemma? I am very glad to see you up. I was not sure that you would ever make it out of the Infirmary. We owe you a great many thanks for what you did. That said, things are far from being great. Did Dr. Andersson or Counselor Dima tell you about where we are?"
The redhead woman just looked at the commander. She could just as easily rip her throat out and stop this useless conversation. Again though, the voices inside her head were screaming for her to reconsider these deadly thoughts.
Not having received an answer, Sarena continued. "Tell you what. I could use your help in getting these generators to increase their output. I will explain everything that has happened in the meantime. Deal?"
The assassin gazed upon the mentioned piece of equipment before looking back at the woman. If this was the nightmare Anya believed it to be, why was Sarena being so nice? More troubling was why did she feel the need to help instead of just killing her?
=-=
Rachel Jackie Johnson
[The fun is getting to wear multiple disguises and getting to explore multiple personalities and bring them to life. - Jenna Fischer]
"First Things First"
Previous posts: (ANU) "90 Minutes" & (BAS) "Awakened Fears"
///^\\\
Setting: BASTET, Observation Lounge
Stardate: 34006.0140
In order to avoid her using something that would drain their energy reserves, Aki decided to come up to the Observation Lounge and be as far away from any of her research equipment. At least from this location within the ship, she would be able to look out at the stars of this new dimension while she thought of what needed to be done without being tempted to scan something or create some sort of holographic image. Until now, the CSciO had never realized the extent of how much she depended on the technology around her. Every minute of her time was spent using some sort of equipment that allowed her to indulge in her insatiable need to research something.
With her hands clasped in front of her and fingers locked together, Aki focussed all of her energy on her thoughts and what the crew needed to accomplish within the next two weeks of their journey. Reaching the M-Class planet would but the first of many steps they would need to take, and as important as preparing for the steps to come was, they still needed to concentrate on overcoming the first obstacle.
Looking with longing admiration at the slowly moving stars beyond the large windows of the Observation Lounge, Aki pondered what she believed to be the most urgent task that the crew faced.
"How about Emerald Paradise?"
Aki just stared at the stars as if expecting one or more of the distant twinkling lights to actually provide her with an answer.
"No? How about Lost Gem? Maybe Jade Pearl? The overall color of the planet is more fitting a jade than it is an emerald. Then again, neither takes into account the blue of the water that we found there. Maybe Sapphire Jade would be a better descriptive name, although it makes the planet sound like some sort of long lost gem."
The Asian woman seemed unsure, maybe even a little lost as to what to do or say next. Why was it so difficult to find a suitable name for the planet they were heading for?
Still looking at the distant stars, the CSciO sighed. "The Green and Blue planet? It may not be very original but at least it is accurate, bluntly so. How do people do this? I mean, how do they just see a planet and 'pop' comes out a name that everyone seems to agree upon. I see a planet and I feel like my brain is going to melt if I keep trying to find a name for it. I guess we could just call it 'The world formerly known as that M-Class world' and leave it at that for the time being. Studying the ecosystem and figuring out the intricacies of the animal and plant cycles; understanding weather patterns and their driving forces; analyzing mineral contents to get a better picture of how the planet itself behaves beneath the surface. I can do all of these things and a great deal more without even breaking a sweat, but try to find a suitable name and I risk having my brains splattered on that window."
The unappealing image created by her own thoughts made Aki actually take a step back from the windows. "Time for me to change what it is that I am thinking about. Maybe naming that planet is not as high a priority as I thought it needed to be, at least not for me. I am sure that Captain Iverson or Commander Valentine will have a much easier time than I in doing that. Alright, the first thing we will need to do once we reach orbit is to confirm the long-range sensor readings about the location for our settlement. Once that is done, we can start sending basic equipment down. With energy reserves the way they will likely be, empty, we will need to find another way to get what we will need down to the surface." The Asian woman paused as she considered various possible options. "That could work," she said to herself as one idea surpassed all others in its simplicity and efficiency. Without saying anything more, the CSciO left the Observation Lounge with a clear goal in mind.
///^\\\
Setting: BASTET, Cargo Bay 2
Stardate: 34006.0200
Moving from one deck to another without using the turbolifts was proving to be a lot more difficult and physically demanding than Aki would have liked it to be. Maybe they should take the artificial gravity offline, it would help save power *and* make it easier for people to move between decks. Then again, it would make it that much more difficult for people to do what they needed to do once they got there.
As Aki walked into the room, she realized the effect the absence of gravity could have. Crates and containers were scattered about in a complete mess. "Well, at least I know what some of us will be doing over the next couple of weeks. Granted this was not what I had planned, but at least it will keep people busy. Now all I have to do is find the reinforced crates I came here for and the atmospheric chutes that will allow us to send them down to the surface without us having to use any power what so ever. Of course, the problem will be for us to find some sort of clearing to aim for. With all of the forested areas surrounding the area we might be settling in, retrieving the crates after they are left to parachute down to the surface may prove to be a massive undertaking all on its own. One problem at a time though. I need to make sure that we can actually use those crates and the chutes that way before I worry about how we will get the equipment back once it reaches the planet, whatever name it will be given."
///^\\\
Dawn Bohr
Lieutenant Misaki 'Aki' Mitshiba [Access Character BIO for Misaki Mitshiba]
Chief Science Officer
USS BASTET - NCC 74977
“Disappearing Act”
[Previous Posts: (ANU) "90 Minutes" / (BAS) "First Things First"]
=/\=
Setting: USS BASTET, Corridor
Stardate: 34006.0135
Nicole squeezed Sofia’s hand as they edged their way down the dim hallway. Following the announcement of the vote, they casually made their way back to the Infirmary. With little planned for the next two weeks or so, there was clearly no reason for them or anyone else to rush, plus the faint lighting made walking down the corridors a little more difficult.
A choice had been made, and it had been done with a clear majority. But as Captain Iverson explained the need to scour the ship for resources and parts to beam down, in order to begin their new life, a wave of worry crept back over the young Trill.
The BASTET was no battle-bloated warship, nor was it a luxurious flagship. It was their home, but it was a home without the energy left to support them.
“I guess it will be like camping,” she murmured. She said it so quietly that Sofia hadn’t understood, even though they were walking side by side.
“What did you say?”
“Camping,” Nic repeated for the CMO’s benefit. “We’re essentially going camping.”
“Don’t remind me,” Sofia groaned. “No temperature regulation, mosquitoes, who knows what to eat-”
“Try to look on the bright side. Fresh air. Sleeping under the stars. Flora and fauna to catalog. Crops to tend.”
“I’m a physician, not a farmer,” The blonde woman pointed out.
“The only resources I’m *trained* to handle are mental ones,” Nicole admitted. And while humanity was perhaps the most precious resource they possessed, there were many other important ones vital for survival. “However, we all have a new role in addition to those we already occupy- colonist. Our ship has been our provider, and she’s given it everything she had. We’re all going to have to pitch in to make up for that loss.”
“I’m sure we will rise to the challenge,” Sofia replied. While she wasn’t looking forward to the amount of work it would take, she still believed in the crew’s decision to go to the as yet unnamed planet.
=/\=
Setting: Infirmary
The Doctor and Counselor entered the ship's medical area still discussing the result of the vote and its implication on the crew, its morale and how the next two weeks would unfold. "I will say it again, I am relieved that the vote was not closer. With only 44 people voting to not head for the planet, it should make my job a lot easier," Nicole said.
"Technically, that number should be 45," Sofia pointed out. "Gemma was never able to vote, so she should be counted as being on your list of people to see."
"True enough," the Counselor nodded in agreement. "Strangely enough though, I really don't think that she is going to be my most demanding patient. Ashton was very vocal about his desire to head out there and for us to find someone that would help us return to our dimension."
"Well, you worry about Ashton, I will worry about Gemma. Speaking of which, I should check in on her, not that it will do any good. Her nanites will make the tricorder show me the exact same thing I have been looking at since the start."
Nicole just sat in the chair on the other side of the Doctor's desk, thinking about their FCO while Sofia took care of Gemma. The scream that she heard next nearly caused the Counselor to fall clear off the chair. Rushing back into the main treatment area, the Trill found the Doctor on her hands and knees frantically searching for something.
"What's wrong?" Nicole asked.
"She's gone!"
"She's gone? What did you lose?"
"Not what, who," Sofia corrected. "Gemma! She's gone. I thought that maybe she had fallen off the examination table and that thanks to the low lights we had not noticed her, but I can't find her anywhere."
As surprising and unexpected as this was, the joint Trill knew better than to let panic take over. "First of all, you need to get off the floor."
"It's not like she would have floated up to the ceiling," Sofia snarled. "She was in no condition to go anywhere, so where did she go?"
"You said it yourself that her nanites make it impossible for you to gage her true physical state," the Counselor pointed out. "She might just have been doing a lot better than you believed her to be. My guess is that she woke up and walked out while we were heading to the observation lounge, during the meeting or right after as we were heading back. It may not have been that long, but obviously, it was enough time for her to do this."
"We need to find her," Sofia said clearly on the verge of a full-blown panic attack.
Nicole went to the nearby computer access panel and called up a deck-by-deck scan of the ship, locating each member of the crew. "Hmm," the noise from the Counselor did not make the Doctor feel any better. "Internal sensors are not picking her up."
"Great, it means that she woke up and decided to go full Romulan-War-Bird on us. We suspected that those nanites could shield her from sensors, and now we have our proof. We need to inform the Captain."
Just before making that call, Nicole noted something on the monitor, something that made her reconsider. "Wait, the internal sensors have found her. She's in Main Engineering with Commander Valentine."
"What the hell is she doing there?" Doctor Andersson exclaimed.
"I do not know. They seem to be in the area of the power generators. Maybe Gemma woke up and decided to help."
"We need to get down there and make sure that both Gemma and Sarena are alright," Sofia urged.
=/\=
A Joint Post by
Tiffany Reeve
Commander Shar'El [Access Character BIO for Shar'El]
Executive Officer / Intel Liaison Officer
USS ANUBIS
And
Susan Ledbetter
[/\] [/\] [/\] [/\] [/\]
"One Perspective"
[previous post (ANU) "90 Minutes" / (BAS) "Disappearing Act")]
Setting: USS BASTET, Engineering
Stardate: 34006.0145
Sarena was happy to see Gemma back on her feet. The woman was an asset to them in whatever persona she presented herself in, still, the Executive Officer could tell that there was something different about the woman. There was a coldness that the Commander could not remember ever having felt from the Lieutenant, but that feeling was dismissed in favor of having a second set of expert hands working on the power generators.
"I will admit that we were all very surprised and pleased to find you alive after the explosion of that Romulan ship," Valentine said, trying to bring Gemma up to date while continuing to work on the power generators. "That blast somehow sent an energy wave that ended up embedding itself into every Lokustaar within sensor range, at least that is what we managed to figure out when one of them showed up to investigate the debris field left by that same explosion. To make a long story short, we set up a trap by seeding the field with quantum torpedoes and as soon as the Shadow vessel was close enough, we triggered the trap."
Gemma just stood there, watching and listening to the Executive Officer, contemplating her next move.
"As far as Misaki can figure, we were caught in the middle of a strange energy phenomenon caused by the interaction of the quantum explosion, the Lokustaar energy beam, and our own boosted shields. This led to a massive energy surcharge to sweep through engineering causing the damage that you see all around us. The warp core was completely rendered inoperative as well as both the Dimensional and Temporal drives. Somehow though, that energy managed to not only trigger the D-drive but also remove the energy lock that kept us in the Lokustaar home dimension." The Executive Officer paused for a moment, thinking about the implications of the story that she was telling. Somehow, telling Gemma about it, made their situation feel not quite as bad as some might think. "So we ended up here, wherever here is, in a new dimension faced with a difficult decision that the Captain decided to involve the whole of the crew in."
"A decision..." Gemma said aloud, more as a statement than a question.
"Yes, because of the warp core is completely useless, we had to choose between heading out into unexplored space hoping to run into a race that would be willing to help us or head for an M-Class planet that our sensors picked up located two weeks away at full impulse. Both selections were for a one-way trip, so the crew had to decide if they wanted to head out into space or aim for that planet. In the end, the decision was made, with a stronger majority than we could have hoped for, to see the BASTET head for the planet. Once there, we will make our way to the surface and settle as there is no way for us to repair the ship. As strange and difficult as it may be for us to shift over to a completely new way of life, I think that we will all quickly learn to appreciate the more simplistic routine. Before we get there though, I wanted to try to get a little more power out of the power generators to help make the next two weeks go by a little easier. Then again, after two weeks of field rations, we may all be more than happy to eat whatever plant life we will find on that planet. Misaki reassured us that the planet, which we have yet to name, is a luscious green paradise."
Gemma had not moved a muscle and was still just standing there behind Sarena. "A simpler life? A paradise?"
So busy working on the power generators and telling their story, the Executive Officer had no idea or hints of the conflict and confusion that danced on the ILO's face as one persona after another came and went faster than anyone could have been able to identify them. Maybe it was better for Sarena as she might have been concerned about her own safety had she looked back to see this strange and possibly unsettling display.
The attention of both women suddenly turned onto Doctor Andersson and Counselor Dima who came rushing into engineering as if something terrible had happened, or was about to.
[/\] [/\] [/\] [/\] [/\]
Karen Price
Commander Sarena Valentine [Access Character BIO for Sarena Valentine]
Executive Officer
USS BASTET, NCC 74977
=-=
"Multiple Perspectives"
[the previous post was (ANU) "Setting The Trap" / (BAS) "One Perspective"]
=-=
Setting: USS BASTET, Engineering
Stardate: 34006.0145
Anya Petrov, the deadly Russian assassin stood behind the kneeling woman. Her death would be quick, painless and thanks to the surrounding low lighting, it would be unseen. She could simply reach down and snap her neck. She could just as easily grab one of the nearby loose rods and impale the woman where she was. A quick death might be too simple though, too generous. The assassin could instead grab hold of the woman's throat and squeeze the life out of her. Those last few desperate breaths would make her realize her fate before darkness took over her senses.
If killing her was so easy and so simple, why was Anya still standing there, listening to the woman talk? Why could she not act on this desire, which bordered on an overwhelming need, to kill the woman? The answer came in the form of a voice within her head. That pleading voice was one of the countless others making it impossible for her to think clearly. The Uxali scientist stood where the Russian assassin had been, listening. The explanation of how the effect of the combined energies was fascinating to her. This interest though only increased the internal conflict raging within the ILO.
**She is your friend!** Gabrielle said nearly screaming.
**She is a living entity, deserving of life as any other. ** Ema added, the priestess' views on life being well known to the others.
**She is a skilled officer.** Dalra joined in with. As a skilled pilot, she could recognize professional abilities, which the woman clearly possessed.
**She is a member of the elite few, barking orders to whomever she can. ** Shinral was clearly not impressed. As a bodyguard, she had witnessed countless times the divide between classes.
**She is a person** Finnja countered. **Her rank and responsibilities have nothing to do with any of this. If you are to judge her, judge her for *who* she is, not *what* she is.**
**You have to make a decision.** Lantra said, silencing everyone else. Making deals always required a choice to be made, and this was no different. **Either she lives, or she dies.**
"A decision..." It was Gemma herself who repeated those words. The final decision somehow landing on her shoulders. Had Sarena not been so busy with her work, she would have seen the extent of this internal conflict. Hair, skin, and facial features were changing as fast as the voices came into her mind. Part of her was listening to the explanation being given. Unfortunately, another part of her was debating the future of the woman giving that explanation. The ILO did know why this inner conflict was raging, but she knew that it could not continue. Actions needed to be taken. A decision needed to be made.
**What will be gained by killing her? ** Wimdalli asked. Scientists looked upon any situation with logic, and this situation was no different.**No one's life will be improved. In fact, I believe that it would be quite the opposite. Her death would affect everyone on this ship, including you.**
Yshuni was the next to offer her perspective. **Listen to what Sarena is saying. We are all stuck here, in a new dimension with no way to get back home. They all need each other. That means they need you as much as you will need them. That is of course if you actually want to survive. You do not have to run anymore. This could be your chance to get what you have always wanted. To claim what you have always dreamt of.**
**A simpler life. A paradise for both the body and soul.** It was Arennis that offered the final words.
"A simpler life? A Paradise?" Gemma repeated as her appearance reasserted itself over the others. The ILO had still not moved a muscle, and yet she had not stopped for a split second. She felt tired and confused. How else was she suppose to feel following the inner battle she had been caught in? The decision still needed to be made though. Whom would she listen to and how would this impact the life of the woman kneeling in front of her?
Sarena and Gemma both turned their heads at the same time when they heard footsteps. It was Doctor Andersson and Counselor Dima, the two women appearing rather concerned.
"Gemma?" The Doctor asked. Despite the low illumination, it was enough to allow them to see the last few personalities come and go.
"Are you alright?" The Counselor asked before the first question was answered.
"Tired." The tone of Gemma's replied hinted that there was more, a lot more.
"Was she not cleared to leave Sickbay?" Commander Valentine asked.
"Nope," Sofia said. "She just got up and left."
Sarena had never considered that possibility. "You need to rest, especially after everything that you have gone through. Do not worry about helping me with the power generators. We have a couple of weeks ahead of us. One day more or less with bare minimum power is not going to make that much of a difference. You taking care of yourself is more important."
"Come on Gemma," Doctor Andersson said, gently taking hold of the ILO's wrist. It was an easy way to test her reaction as well as her pulse.
The Counselor smiled as she came to stand directly in front of the ILO. "Everything will be fine."
Appearing disoriented and confused, Gemma followed the Doctor and Counselor. Being so close to the ILO made it possible for them to see the next quick switches between personalities.
**See, told you they were your friends.** Gabrielle pointed out.
**Life supports and encourages life.** Ema added.
**You do not have to be alone. Not anymore and never again.** Yshuni concluded.
When Gemma resurfaced, she noticed the looks of surprise in the two women next to her. After all, they had just seen the ILO change into a blonde Terran, a bald Oltharian and a blue-haired Kotakian in just a few seconds.
=-=
Rachel Jackie Johnson
[The fun is getting to wear multiple disguises and getting to explore multiple personalities and bring them to life. - Jenna Fischer]
“Professional Concerns”
[Previous Posts: (ANU) "Ambassadorial Review" / (BAS) "Multiple Perspectives"]
=/\=
Setting: USS BASTET, Infirmary
Stardate: 34006.0200
Dima had been observing the raven-haired Nylaan woman who had been occupying the biobed for a little less than a minute. She did not know her name, but it was clear she was one of the many personalities that dwelled within their crewmate.
“I apologize if this has been a difficult situation for you,” Nicole offered hesitantly. She had been speaking to Gemma in an attempt to get through to her, to put her at ease somehow. But it was futile. And still, she kept talking. “It is our hope that the planet will be a safe place for us to build a colony.” While the Kotakian female who had appeared just before this seemed to be receptive to communicating, the Nylaan gave the impression that she was much more reserved and quiet. It was still a far cry better than the venomous gaze of that German woman she had seen earlier. “It will give us our best chance at survival.”
The Oltharian priestess appeared. “Above all else, life is sacred. Perhaps this is what has been fated to be. Let the journey to this new home be exalted.”
“Thank you for your kind words,” Nicole acknowledged the next persona that had manifested. She was grateful that not all of Gemma’s alter egos were hell bent towards this whole situation being a negative one. “Please allow yourself to sleep, if you are able. We still have most of the trip ahead of us.”
Ema reclined in the bed and closed her eyes, assuming a zen posture. No more than ten seconds later, Gemma appeared, her brow furrowed, not as peaceful as the prior incarnation, but still fitfully lying down, still trying to comply.
=/\=
Setting: CMO's Office
Nicole entered the CMO's office, which looked more cramped somehow in the dim emergency lighting, and found Sofia sitting at her desk, a concerned expression on her face. "She's resting, at least as much as she can," Counselor Dima said sharing in her friend's worries of their ILO. "I lost track of how many personalities have surfaced. Some I recognized, others I had never seen before. This mad cycling does seem to have subsided, at least for the moment but there is no telling if or when it could start over."
"I informed Captain Iverson that Gemma was awake and asked her to come down," Sofia said. "I think it would be best if we spoke to her directly about this instead of announcing the whole thing through the ship."
"You do know that communications are secured?" Nicole smiled knowing that Sofia's words had been meant figuratively and not literally.
"There is just so much about her that we don't know," the CMO said indicating that she was lost in her own thoughts. "I can't even confirm the way her nanites work thanks to their sensor shielding properties. I feel like one of those ancient frontier doctors that we learned about in Medical History class. I can see that she is doing better than she was, but beyond that, I can't tell you anything else."
"That’s welcome news," the Captain said as she joined the other two women in the office. "Have her injuries fully healed, Doctor?”
Sofia tilted her head thoughtfully; glad to see that their Captain had responded as quickly as she had. “Yes, that’s correct, her biology has repaired itself, but there is a concern as for her state of mind.”
"What type of concern?" It was not difficult to hear the alarm in the Captain’s voice.
Ensign Dima crossed her arms. “For lack of a better explanation, I think Gemma is having an identity crisis. She regained consciousness sometime during the vote being announced, left here under her own power and went to Engineering. She was assisting Sarena with repairs but was not acting quite like herself. She allowed us to escort her back here, but she displayed a hesitance to do so.”
Selene clasped her hands behind her back. "Do you have a hypothesis, Counselor?"
"Only the beginnings of one," Nicole admitted. "We may never know exactly what happened to Gemma, but it appears to have splintered the control she had over her various personas."
"In what way?"
Nic glanced out to the ILO’s currently calm form. “We already know the physical stressors she was subjected to were well beyond what most species are capable of surviving. However, she is very much alive. Clearly, the effects of that trauma are new and unexplored. Gemma seems to be rapidly cycling through her identities.”
"Define ‘rapidly’."
Doctor Andersson chimed in. “It’s variable, at times it’s one persona every twenty to thirty seconds, then changing to another both in appearance and action.”
"I can see where that might be a problem."
Nic raked her hands through her dark brown hair as she continued to explain. “Her role as Intelligence Liaison Officer, while highly specialized and fully utilizing her skills to shift personalities, was nonetheless clearly defined and allowed Gemma to be the primary persona we experienced and worked with. We are going to a place where, to put it bluntly, there won’t be a need for Intel. Being exposed to this inevitability, along with the ship’s situation, may be causing the others to fight for control.”
"The problem is that this is all a best-guess attempt to understand what is happening to her," Sofia jumped in. "Physically speaking, she is a complete mystery. Yes, we have figured out that there are nanites coursing through her body and that they respond to not only her physical needs and demands but also to her current psychological state. How this process is taking place is impossible to say, but we can most definitively see the results through the physical manifestations of the other personas buried in that head of hers."
"Is there anything that we can do to help her?" Iverson asked her voice betraying ever so slightly that she too had grown to appreciate the woman as more than the ILO being a skilled member of the crew.
"We are doing everything we can," Nicole admitted. "Unfortunately, it is not a great deal at this time. The best we can do is to monitor the personalities as they manifest themselves and see if we can identify any sort of external trigger."
"And those triggers would only be what we can visually detect thanks to her nanites," Sofia pointed out admitting defeat even before things had started. "The woman was designed to be the best ILO out there, it also means that she is the worst possible patient for a Doctor."
"And her shattered psyche makes her an equally challenging case to be properly helped by a Counselor."
"Then this is an opportunity to do your best," Iverson replied with authority, looking at the two medical specialists. "You have two weeks before we arrive at our destination. Hopefully, that will be enough time for the both of you to help her make it through whatever this thing is."
"We will spare no effort," Sofia said, glancing over at Nicole, who looked equally resolved to follow through.
"I know,” Selene said, as she left the women to care for their unique patient.
=/\=
A Joint Post by
Tiffany Reeve
Commander Shar'El [Access Character BIO for Shar'El]
Executive Officer / Intel Liaison Officer
USS ANUBIS
And
Susan Ledbetter
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"Breakfast Discussions"
[previous post (ANU) "Ambassadorial Review" / (BAS) "Professional Concerns")]
Setting: USS BASTET, Deck 8, Mess Hall
Stardate: 34006.0600
After working for as long as she had, it was time for a break, and even more important was her need for sustenance, so the Executive Officer headed for the Mess Hall for breakfast. Although it had been a relatively short time since the implementation of the power-saving measures, Sarena had become accustomed to the low lights through the ship. Even as she walked into the Mess Hall the extent of their efforts to save as much energy as possible had not been entirely real to her. That was until Valentine noticed that everyone present was enjoying some field rations that the reality of the situation came crashing in on her.
How could she have forgotten about this? That was the main reason why she had labored for so long in Main Engineering, trying to get a little more power out of the generators so that she, as well as everyone else, would not have to endure field rations for the next two weeks. Strangely enough, the Executive was so focused on what she wanted to do that she had forgotten about why she needed to complete the job.
Having resigned herself to what she knew this first meal of their two-week journey would be, Sarena made her way to the inactive food replicators and the cases of emergency field rations set in front of them. Without even looking in, the Executive Officer reached in the first case and grabbed a food pouch before repeating the process in the second case in order to fetch a drink. With the unappealing items in her hands, Valentine scanned the barely lit room for a place for her to sit.
"Commander!" It was Lt. Mitshiba waving the woman down. "Come, we can be miserable together." if the food were unpalatable, at least the company would help make the situation a little more bearable.
"Now I remember why I was working so hard to get more power out of the power generators," Sarena said as she sat down and studied the two pouches in her hands. "We are not going to make it to that planet, are we?"
Misaki laughed. "Actually, I think it will be the reason why we will make it. Just imagine us sitting in the open air eating actually fruits and vegetables. Who knows, we might even get lucky and find some meat once we are there."
"You are being incredibly optimistic," Sarena said silently wishing that the aforementioned fruits, vegetable, and meat were already in front of her.
"Not really. I reviewed the data that was collected earlier on that planet. It is truly an amazing place. The world is temperate, with lush vegetation for as far as the eyes can see. It would be nearly impossible for there *not* be any fruits and berries for us to eat. In addition, with the presence of water, there are just as many chances for us to find some sort of sea life. It may not be like anything we are used to, but I strongly doubt that we will be starving once we get there."
"From Starfleet officers to farmers and fishers, that is going to be an interesting learning curve for us all," the Executive Officer sighed, still trying to bring herself to take that first bite from whatever the block of food in front of her was supposed to be. "I hope that you are right though. I would hate to think that we are all suffering like this only to find ourselves in a world that is going to do everything it can to kill us."
"We are still too far away to get any definite readings on the planet's ecosystem, but from a distance, it does look to be a very inviting place."
It was Sarena's turn to laugh. "You are a scientist. Every place is inviting. You could be looking at a giant carnivorous plant able to swallow a runabout whole and be absolutely thrilled to be there just because it is something new."
"As long as I am not in that runabout, I guess you would be right," Misaki said with a smile. "The truth is that we have to keep a positive attitude or none of this will matter in the end.
"You sound like you have been speaking with Counselor Dima."
"Not the Counselor, but I have overheard some of the Captain's discussions with other members of the crew," the scientist said pointing to a table not that far away from their own. "Captain Iverson has been doing everything she can to make the crew feel as positive as possible. She knows that aside from whatever may be out there, we are our own worse enemy in this case."
"I'll be right back," Valentine said leaving Mitshiba and her breakfast behind in favor of joining Iverson at her table. "Good morning Captain."
"Commander," Selene acknowledged. "How goes your efforts to increase the power output of our generators?"
"Not as well as I would have liked them to," the Executive Officer said. "I could use some extra help, maybe Gemma? I know that Doctor Andersson and Counselor Dima came down to Main Engineering and left with her. I just thought that something was forgotten or overlooked and that she would return as soon as everything was taken care of, but Gemma never returned. Is she alright?"
"Gemma is in the tender care of both the Doctor and Counsellor and they are doing everything they can to help. We just have to keep our hopes up and see what will happen." Not having seen anything out of the ordinary during her conversation with the ILO, the Executive Officer was taken aback by the Captain's words. As she thought back to that particular moment though, Sarena recalled not having truly seen the woman who had been standing behind her the entire time Valentine had explained their situation. Seeing the concerns in her eyes, despite the low lighting, the Captain added. "Finish your breakfast and go see her. I am sure that Doctor Andersson and Counselor Dima will be happy for her to get a visitor."
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Setting: USS BASTET, Deck 5, Infirmary
Stardate: 34006.0620
The Executive Officer walked in, holding her untouched breakfast. "How is Gemma doing, Doctor?" Sarena asked of Sofia as soon as she saw the CMO.
"Still resting," Andersson replied. "Nicole is with her now, trying to understand what is happening. I'm guessing that you did not see her cycling through one personality after another while she was standing behind you."
"I just thought that she was listening to my explanations as to what happened to us," the Executive Officer said. "I took her general silence as her processing what I was saying."
"You were probably correct in that assessment," Sofia said. "The difference was that through everything she went through Gemma lost control of her other personalities, and now they seem to be wanting out. While you were explaining what happened, it was not just Gemma listening but everyone else as they came and left in rapid sequence."
"Could I speak with her?"
"Not right now. It has taken us all this time to get Gemma stable enough so that her other personalities do not try to take over. She needs to rest and regain as much control as possible before dealing with anything else," the CMO explained.
"I understand. Can you please give her this for me?" Sarena handed over the untouched field ration she had picked up for herself. "When you feel she is ready, let her know that I could use her help in Main Engineering. If we can manage to get some more power out of the generators, we might be able to have a real meal during the next two weeks of our journey."
"I will give her the message."
"Thank you, Doctor," and with that said and done the Executive Officer left the Infirmary to return to Main Engineering.
[/\] [/\] [/\] [/\] [/\]
Karen Price
Commander Sarena Valentine [Access Character BIO for Sarena Valentine]
Executive Officer
USS BASTET, NCC 74977
"Cutting Through The Problems"
Previous posts: (ANU) "Cold Silence" & (BAS) "Breakfast Discussion"
///^\\\
Setting: BASTET, Infirmary
Stardate: 34006.0810
Aki walked in tightly holding her right hand with her left. The deep red liquid seeping from between her fingers hinted to the severity of her injury.
"What happened?" It took no time whatsoever for the CMO to notice the injured Asian woman despite the reduced lighting, and it took her even less time for the Doctor to rush to her patient's side to attend to the injury. "Why didn't you call for a medical emergency?"
"Standard procedure for a Medical Emergency is for a medical team to be beamed to the required location, or to have the injured party beamed directly to Sickbay is their condition is stable enough to permit it," Aki said wincing a the pain crawled up her arm. "In both cases, the transporter system would have been required and since we are doing everything we can to maintain our energy reserves, I thought it best to come here on my own."
"You could have fainted from shock brought on by blood loss at any point during the trip," Doctor Andersson said angrily. "Without anyone knowing what had happened or where you were, you might have bled out."
"I did not want to use our energy reserves for something that could instead be used for something better, or for a real emergency," Aki defended. "I was simply thinking about the situation that the ship and crew are in the middle of."
"Well, that was exceptionally foolish of you," the CMO said, still working on trying to stop the bleeding.
"She is right," Counselor Dima said as she joined the Doctor and her walk-in patient.
"See," Sofia said grinning from ear-to-ear. "She agrees with me."
"Actually, I was agreeing with Misaki," Nicole corrected. "I am sure that the Captain would have supported the use of the transporter system for such an emergency, but I am sure that she will even more pleased that the situation was taken care of without our using a very precious and finite resource. We still have a long ways to go before we reach our destination, therefore if we allow ourselves to follow every protocol as they were meant to be used under normal circumstances; it is very likely that we will run out of energy long before we make it to the planet. That we may like it or not, we all need to learn to do things differently. As dangerous as the decision taken by Misaki was, it was, in the end, the best choice."
Aki smiled at Nicole to thank her for her support, but that gesture was short lived as a shot of pain ran up her arm. "Sorry," the CMO said before glancing over her shoulder to the CNS standing there. "Keep applying pressure to stop the bleeding while I fetch a few instruments to fix this."
Counselor Dima quickly volunteered to help, taking Aki's hands into hers and applying pressure on the wound, not as hard as Doctor Andersson had mere seconds ago, but strong enough to hinder the bleeding without causing any unnecessary pain to the Asian woman. "What happened? This looks like a rather deep cut, how did you manage it?"
"I was working in Cargo Bay 2, figuring out the logistics of how we would get the equipment and supplies we will need to create our new lives down to the surface. I thought that using the atmospherics chutes to gently parachute the reinforced crates we have onboard down would be the best and most energy efficient way to get the job done. I had all of the chutes laid out and was moving some of the crates when my hand slipped and caught the edge of another container that was likely damaged when we lost gravity through the ship."
"You were not using the antigravity transport slay were you?" Nicole asked smiling knowingly.
"I know that those devices have their own power cells, but if we use them, sooner or later they would need to be recharged which will still be an extra demand on our energy supply," Aki explained. "As heavy as the reinforced crates may be, I decided to move them manually and as you said, we all need to learn to do things differently. It is a way of thinking that we all need to get used to as this is just the beginning. Once we are on the planet surface, there will not be anything left of our previous way of life, and we need to learn and adapt now if we are to make the transition easier. The next two weeks may actually prove to be a blessing in disguise as it will give us the time we need to adapt our ways."
The Counselor agreed and silently praised the woman's proactive mindset before turning her attention to the resting ILO. Would everyone else be as ready and able to accept this complete change in his or her way of life? The answer was that yes, some would likely be able to readily jump into the new demands of their sedimentary lifestyles, but others might find the change much more difficult to adapt to.
Although Aki was in pain, she still noticed the diverted attention and concern of the Counselor. "Will Gemma be alright?"
"She's a fighter," Nicole said, thinking that although the description was very well fitting, it also pointed out the difficulties the woman would face over the next two weeks and even more so when they would arrive at their destination.
"I'm so glad I know where everything is," Sofia said as she returned. "I could not see anything, so next time someone complains about my always wanting to have everything in its right place, you can tell them that is works for more than just to make me happy. Now, let's take care of that wound."
Aki watched as Doctor Andersson worked on her hand while keeping an eye on Counselor Dima who was heading back to check up on the Infirmary's other patient.
///^\\\
Dawn Bohr
Lieutenant Misaki 'Aki' Mitshiba [Access Character BIO for Misaki Mitshiba]
Chief Science Officer
USS BASTET - NCC 74977
=-=
"An Anchor"
[the previous post was (ANU) "Yes It Will" / (BAS) "Cutting Through The Problems"]
=-=
Setting: USS BASTET, Infirmary
Stardate: 34006.0830
The storm that raged in her mind had finally subsided leaving Gemma feeling emotionally drained and mentally exhausted. She was made to look at their situation and everything pertaining to it from countless different angles and perspectives. Each sentiment and beliefs were more different from the ones expressed before them. Everyone had an opinion about their two-week journey to an unknown world. Everyone had a reaction to what would become their home. Some herald it as a chance to start anew. Others condemned it as an unfitting end for someone with their respective skills and abilities. Good or bad, they all had something to say, and Gemma was stuck in the middle of the ongoing debate.
Through the chaos, the ILO had noticed a reoccurring pattern. One person had stood by her side watching with concern through it all. Gemma could tell that she wanted to help but seemed unsure as to how to accomplish this. Maybe out of fear of making things worse, the woman just stood there, offering a comforting presence. Every now and then the CNS would reach out and take hold of her hand. Without saying a word, the Trill managed to be a stabilizing anchor for the troubled patient.
"That bad?" Gemma asked after meeting the Counselor's gaze for a brief moment. The concerns on Nicole's mind were quite visible on her face.
"I've seen worse." Nicole said smiling. The line was just that, a line meant to make her patient feel better. They both knew it, and still, Gemma smiled back.
"You are going to tell me to rest, to take it easy, to not worry about anything. You might even suggest that I focus on myself for the time being. The rest of the crew can manage. They have before and will continue to do so." The ILO knew the routine. As much as she might not have been a Counselor, she knew how they operated.
"Why would I tell you something that you already know?" Nicole might have been a CNS, but she also possessed several lifetimes of experience. This mean that the ILO's quick reply had not taken her by surprise. At least not as much as Gemma might have hoped for. "You know what I will say, and I know what you will do."
"Which would be?" The ILO was enjoying this. It was not often that she could have a conversation like this.
"You will ignore my words. You will find some logical reason to dismiss what I said and do as you please. After a while, you will realize that was right, but by then it will no longer matter. Something else will have happened and your mind will be focussed on that instead. My words will be forgotten, replaced by more urgent and current matters."
"There always seems to be something else, doesn't it?" Gemma sounded relaxed, which pleased Nicole. The banter between them was also a good sign. The battle between the personalities had apparently stopped, at least for the time being. There was no telling how long that would last, but it was nice to see nonetheless.
Nicole nodded knowingly. "We were not meant for the boring repetitious life. That is why we joined Starfleet. Each day comes with the promise of something new, of something exciting, of something that challenges us. Even when things are quiet, we are challenged by our own demands of ourselves. We strive to become better no matter what is around us. The next two weeks are no different."
"Nice way to lead into that particular subject." Gemma was still smiling, which in some way surprised Nicole.
"Glad to see that you approve. Does that mean that you will not be arguing with me about staying here? You do need to rest, we both know this to be true."
The ILO's face instantly drew more serious. "Of course I will argue. I am sure that Captain Iverson will want to have all able bodies working. The next two weeks are not going to be a pleasure cruise for any of us. There is a lot to be done and very limited resources to do them. Experience is essential. Yours will be put to much better use helping someone else."
"You should not sell yourself so short. You are as deserving as anyone else."
"I am not selling myself short," Gemma said pushing herself up on her elbows. "I am simply stating a fact. I am certain that there are crewmembers struggling with our current situation. They are in need of your guidance and support far more than I am. You did what you needed in order to help me. Now you should seek out someone else."
"I did what I *wanted*," the Trill corrected. "Helping you was just a nice bonus."
The ILO did not seem impressed, or upset. "I am honored, but you paying me so much attention might lead to trouble." Gemma shot a quick glance in the direction of the CMO. The Doctor putting on the final bandage around the injured Asian's hand.
"Trouble? Why would Sofia have any issues with my spending time with you?"
"Counselor, I may be troubled by a great many thoughts, but I am not blind. Even in this low lighting, I can see quite clearly. Claim what you may, but I recognize the signs. All I can say is this, cherish the moments you have together. Loneliness can be exceptionally difficult for some, trust me on that if nothing else."
Nicole blinked a few times as she gazed at Gemma, pondering her words. Thanks to the ILO's multiple personalities how could she understand what loneliness was? Then again, maybe it was because of those personalities that she understood the concept better than anyone else did. To feel alone while constantly surrounded by others could not have been easy.
While considering the words spoken to her, Nicole turned her gaze onto Sofia. The ILO claimed that the CNS had been an anchor for her. Could Dima claim to be the same for Andersson?
=-=
Rachel Jackie Johnson
[The fun is getting to wear multiple disguises and getting to explore multiple personalities and bring them to life. - Jenna Fischer]
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"Sunlight"
[previous post (ANU) "Medical Curiosity" / (BAS) "An Anchor")]
Setting: USS BASTET, Engineering
Stardate: 34006.1130
No matter what she tried, the power generators were working at the maximum output. The equipment had never been designed to supply the entire ship with energy; the generators were there for short-term emergency use, nothing more. With only some of the generators working, it was far more likely that the control systems would burn out leaving them in an even more precarious situation than they already were in.
"Everything alright Commander? You seem upset," Misaki asked, holding on to her bandaged hand.
"Frustrated with my inability to get any more power out of these generators," Sarena replied. "How about you? How are you doing? I heard about the accident."
"Doctor Andersson fixed me up as best she could without draining too much energy from her instruments. I should be back to normal in a few days," Mitshiba said. "Guess we have to look at our speed as a good thing. What's a couple of days on a two-week trip?"
"A couple of days may not be much, but our problem is the two-week trip," Valentine sighed. "The more I work on these generators, the more I am afraid that they will not be able to make it that far. That equipment was never meant to produce energy for the entire ship, and certainly not on a constant basis. Our slow speed may end up being what will stop us from reaching our destination."
"Maybe we are looking at this all wrong," Misaki said. "We have grown so accustomed to going farther and faster, we forget how the first space voyages used technology that was well below what we have currently. Even without our warp core, the BASTET is decades ahead what those first interstellar voyages were using. They managed trips that lasted months, so I am sure that we can manage a measly two weeks."
Sarena looked at Misaki, the soft ambient light casting strange shadows on the features of the Asian woman. "You look like you have a plan."
"That is why I came down to see you," Mitshiba said. "While Doctor Andersson was fixing me up, I was thinking about some of the things she said. Due to our situation, we are all forced to use methods that have not been in effect for centuries, and that got me thinking about our energy problem. How did those old ships, traveling at only a fraction of sub-light, managed to get as far as they did. Then the proverbial light bulb came on -- light, or more specifically sunlight."
"The older ships used solar panels to supply their onboard systems with power," the Executive Officer said. "The problem is that we do not have anything of that sort on board."
"No, but we do have something that we could use, in theory, to act very much like it. The ship's own bio-regenerative hull matrix," Misaki said. "We should be able to modify the composition to include a photo-reactive substance that would generate energy that we would be able to channel to the ship's systems. The energy generated this way will not be much, but it should, in theory, help reduce the stress on the generators. If nothing else is gained by this, we will increase the chances of the generators making it to the end of our journey. If these modifications work better than expected, we might even be able to channel more power to the ship's environmental systems making the next two weeks that much easier to survive."
Sarena remained silent as she thought about what had just been said. This silence worried Misaki who thought that maybe she had forgotten something, a detail that would make this plan impossible to realize.
"Those modifications would weaken the outer protective shell of the ship," the Executive Officers said making the Asian realize that she had indeed missed something. "That said, we are in no position to defend ourselves if something did appear out of nowhere and attacked us, so your plan is perfect. How quickly do you believe we could get those modifications in place?"
Happily surprised by Valentine's agreement and support, Mitshiba had to think for a few seconds to come up with a viable timeline. "I should be able to get something up for an initial test within the next 24 hours."
"Good," Sarena said, smiling. "You get started on that project while I continue down here. Maybe in a couple of days from now, we can surprise the Captain with a warm bowl of soup instead of one of those tasteless emergency field rations."
"Soup does sound good," Misaki agreed. "Now, that is what I call motivation. I will let you know when I am ready to perform the first test." With a bounce in her step, the Asian exited Engineering in a way that made the Executive Officer smile. As bad as their situation was, the ship as a whole had managed to hold on to their spirit and hopes better than she had expected. The wide margin on the vote made things easier, avoiding a divide that would have split the crew, and so far, everyone seemed to be willing to pull up their sleeves and do what needed to be done to make this work. All that was left to do was to wait and see if this attitude would last the two weeks that stood before them.
[/\] [/\] [/\] [/\] [/\]
Karen Price
Commander Sarena Valentine [Access Character BIO for Sarena Valentine]
Executive Officer
USS BASTET, NCC 74977
=-=
"A Walk In The Dark"
[the previous post was (ANU) "Nothing More Than Pawns" by Jayson / (BAS) "Sunlight" by Karen]
=-=
Setting: USS BASTET, Corridor
Stardate: 34006.1145
With Misaki's injured hand fixed as best as she could without completely draining her medical instruments of energy, and with Nic staying by Gemma's side, Sofia decided to go for a walk. For obvious reasons Starfleet had decided to locate the medical department of a starship deep inside the ship. This of course meant that there were no windows anywhere nearby and right now Doctor Andersson needed to see something other than the darkened walls of her department. Stars were always a safe bet to bring a smile to her lips.
Sofia could have just sat down next to Gemma and looked at something equally as pleasing if not more, such as staring straight into Nicole's sapphire eyes. Somehow though, the Doctor thought that this might cause a few problems in the long run. The CMO was not jealous of the time the CNS was spending with their ILO, far from it as she fully understood the need. The issue was that doing as she thought and wanted could possibly send the wrong message.
Andersson did not want to pressure Dima into anything, although by now everything seemed to point to them being on the same proverbial page on this matter. That said, there was no need for them to rush into things as they would have the rest of their lives to figure everything out. Hopefully, they would not wait that long and would do so within the next two weeks. Sofia also was concerned that Gemma, or one of her personalities, could interpret the Doctor's presence as some sort of challenge for the Counselor's time and attention.
There were a great many things that Andersson feared from Gemma, but getting in between her and Dima was not one of them. If anything, it was far more likely that one of the personalities, such as the Oltharian Priestess, would surface and lecture them on the requirements of a healthy relationship or that the Russian woman would emerge and cast one of her deadly glares. There were still so much that they did not know about the personalities they had seen, and the odds were that there were many more waiting for the right opportunity to make themselves known to the rest of the crew.
The odds that something unexpected would happen were much smaller with Sofia out of the room, leaving Nicole and Gemma alone. The CMO also knew that if something did happen, the CNS would be in a much better position to handle it without havig to worry about Andersson jumping into the middle and possibly making things worse. As much as she always wanted to help and do the right thing, the Doctor had learned through experience that she had a bad habbit of doing the opposite when she did not take the time to think things through. At least here, walking down a barely lit corridor, there was much less chances for her to do or say something that she might later come to regret.
Having finally found her way to one of the observation area on the outer section of the BASTET, Sofia gazed out upon the distant twinkling lights. Because of their impulse speed, the stars appeared to just be hanging there against the solid black fabric of space. As no known constellations could be seen, the CMO began play connect the dots in an effort to create familiar shapes and forms. Who knows, maybe these would be documented and become part of the lore of their new civilization.
It quickly became evident that Sofia was just as skilled with connecting the stars to form some imaginary form as she was in finding a name for the planet they would soon be calling home. So far, her attempts at creating something original had been limited to linking four twinkling dots to form a square.
"Guess that would be why I ended up in the field of medicine instead of science," the CMO sighed. "Gives me a little more appreciation for what Misaki does on a daily basis though. She can take care of linking stars; I'll stick with reattaching tendons, veins and nerves. At least with those, I know exactly what goes where, well at least for the most part, there are still a few races out there that I would be guessing my way around their anatomy."
Sofia exhaled as she closed her eyes and lowered her head. All of this thinking about medical field and alien anatomy reminded her of her time back at Starfleet Medical on EARTH. From there, it was not hard for her to leapfrog from one memory to the next, which landed her thoughts back to Paris; the Romulan ice prison world; their meeting with the USS HAWKINGS and its crew and them being stuck in Lokustaar space before ending up here, in this unknown dimension unable to return home. The desire to wander alone that took her out of the Infirmary had suddenly been replaced by a need to seek company and not feel so alone.
The CMO reopened her eyes and debated as to the best possible way for her to address this new need. Returning to the Infirmary could interrupt whatever Nicole and Gemma were doing, so Sofia decided against that option. She could head to Engineering and check in on Commander Valentine's progress or hunt down their Chief Science Officer claiming that she wanted to make sure the bandages were holding as they should. Another option was for Doctor Andersson to head up to the bridge and see what Captain Iverson was up to. All of those options presented her with possible difficulties in explaining what she was doing there, but it also made sure that she would not be alone, and right now that was the feeling that won over all of the others.
=-=
Tiffany Reeve
Commander Shar'El [Access Character BIO for Shar'El]
Executive Officer / Intel Liaison Officer
USS ANUBIS
“Silver”
[Previous Posts: (ANU) "Wounded Pride" / (BAS) "A Walk In The Dark"]
=/\=
“Make new friends
But keep the old,
One is silver and the other’s gold.”
-Girl Scouts/Girl Guides
=/\=
Setting: USS BASTET, Deck 5, Exo-Biology Lab C
Stardate: 34006.1230
"Can you explain again *why* we are doing this?" Jeb Roman griped to the Counselor.
Ensign Roman had requested her presence in one of the labs. They had been hoping to salvage some of the equipment to create solar cells for their survival planetside. He had reasoned that if solar energy could work for the ship, why not their new home? Mitshiba had agreed, and he went to work. But his frustration at finding many of the components damaged or unusable spilled over into everything that had happened before.
"A setback does not immediately mean a decision is wrong," Dima gently reminded him.
"That's easy for you to say, coming from someone who probably wanted to go to the planet." It was becoming more clear why he asked for the services of the Cns. Instead of wanting advice regarding the modifications, he was seeking the reasons why they were headed for the unnamed Class-M paradise. His true concern was with the decision that was made, not the reality of scavenging the ship.
"My vote in and of itself was not important," she sidestepped. "It was the group that came to the decision, not me."
He pried another metal panel loose, hoping to find something, anything he could utilize. "In case you hadn't figured it out, I said we should take our chances in open space. But that was not with the majority. And now, at every turn, even when attempting to make the best of a bad situation, I see things like this." He tossed a small bundle of fried wires to her. "Those aren't good for anything."
Nicole examined them; they didn't look particularly remarkable, but she wasn't educated enough to agree that they were beyond repair. "The way things appear at first isn't always a good indicator of their purpose."
"I guess that's your way of saying that all those of us who didn't get what we wanted, will come around if the rest of you wait long enough?" he asked harshly.
"No, that's not what I'm saying." her voice rose with his.
Jeb put his hands up in an annoyed gesture. "What *are* you saying, then?"
"You can still disagree about where we are headed, but don't be so quick to eliminate possibilities. Everything has a justification that is not obvious at first."
He pushed the panel closed with more force than was probably necessary. "As much as I would like you to be right, I'm still thinking about all those we left behind in our own universe. Hightailing it to the nearest planet seems like the coward's way out."
While Nicole knew the man needed the opportunity to vent, she could feel herself growing defensive. "Choosing our best chance to stay alive by abandoning our ship is not a choice that was made lightly."
"You don't have to keep telling me that- but do you understand that deciding to risk death in open space to preserve the way of life we have chosen as Starfleet officers was a brave decision for us, too?"
"It wasn't supposed to be a contest," Dima said with compassion.
“I know,” he replied solemnly. “But it feels like we are now set up to lose. I hope I’m wrong. But it’s too soon for me to believe in... this.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
“You came when I asked.” He shrugged and let out a resigned breath, opening another console. “Just keep doing that.”
=/\=
Setting: Infirmary
Nicole entered, her mood deflated after her talk with Ensign Roman, and noticed Sofia was still gone. She was happy that the good Doctor had taken a break; they all had to nurture themselves beyond their traditional roles and jobs for the journey ahead. Gemma had been sleeping when the junior Science Officer had asked for assistance, so with Sofia still out, the Counselor’s first priority was checking on her.
“Hello,” a warm, sensual voice greeted the joined Trill. It was not a surprise that the woman had awakened, however *who* had awakened very much was.
She resembled a goddess. Her hair was a rich color approaching burgundy, a little brighter and straighter than Gemma’s, but not as red as the Russian assassin’s. Her skin had a golden hue, which signified at least partial heritage from a race of beings that Nicole had never met; the Ub-Hani. Her last mission aboard the ANUBIS had saw them orbiting the world, looking for one of Doctor Arken’s crystals, but the mysterious people never allowed them to access the planet below. It made Nicole wonder how this persona came into existence with so little about the race to go by.
“Hello. I’m Nicole, and this is the USS BASTET.”
“My name is Saha Rahi,” she continued with a regal air. “It is a pleasure to meet you, but I cannot say the same for your ship. The color scheme is so drab and muted.” She examined Nicole up and down. “Your outfit is rather plain.”
“It’s a uniform,” Nic said as though that explained everything. “It’s supposed to be efficient.” She reached down to tug on the tunic hem and found she had been absentmindedly carrying the damaged circuitry from her visit with Mister Roman without even realizing it. Nic set it on the biobed. Saha wasted no time in inspecting the wires’ bright plastic sheathing.
“Are you a Scientist?” Nicole haphazardly guessed, seeing her interest in the discarded resource. “Or an Engineer?”
Ms. Rahi looked offended, but in a delicate, dramatic way. “I am an artist, a creative by nature. I have mastered all mediums. And it looks like my skills are sorely needed here.” She got out of bed with a burst of energy, making a beeline for some of Sofia’s instruments.
“Be careful, those are sharp,” Nic said with worry, trying not to hover, but still wondering what the hell Saha was doing.
She laughed, a sexy laugh. “I have sculpted marble and carved ivory with more dangerous implements than these.” If Nicole hadn’t known better, she would have pegged the woman for one of the Greek muses. Saha held up a scalpel unflinchingly. “This should suffice.”
“Suffice for what?”
There had been an empty container of field rations that neither Nicole nor Sofia had bothered to turn in to the matter reclamation unit. It seemed like an unnecessary waste of energy at the time. The Ub-Hani hybrid had grabbed that and removed the lid with the scalpel, then began cutting spaced notches in the sides of the box. She then deftly peeled the sheaths from the wires, exposing the delicate, glistening metal filaments. “Why is it so dark in here?” she remarked.
“We’re under emergency power until we reach our destination.” Nic thought about whether or not she should explain more, but she was still trying to figure out what the latest alter ego to appear from within Gemma’s psyche was up to. “What are you doing?” she asked, feeling foolish but wanting an answer.
“I wish to create. I see no paints, no clay, no textiles.” She began stringing the box with the harvested materials, using the notches to align the wires and hold them in place. “So I must manufacture items for my own pursuit of the arts. That is my gift to you.”
Nicole was reminded of the weaving apparatus her mother taught her to use to make fabric. “Is it a miniature loom?”
Saha considered this, while making sure the metallic threads were pulled tightly. “Not a bad guess. But it’s something better,” she answered with enthusiasm.
“A five course gourmet meal?” Nic found herself joking as she sat down, continuing to watch .
Saha smiled. “While cooking is no less an art than the others, there is at least one pursuit more beautiful.” She held up the finished product; it was a rudimentary harp. She drew her slender fingers across the strings, plucking and strumming, producing a lyrical melody. “Food nourishes the body, while music soothes the spirit.”
=/\=
Susan Ledbetter
=-=
"Soothing Melodies"
[the previous post was (ANU) "A Brigade of Tribbles" / (BAS) "Silver"]
=-=
Setting: USS BASTET, Infirmary
Stardate: 34006.1330
The music of the makeshift instrument filled the room. It was strange to hear such angelic melodies coming from such an unimpressive apparatus. The results though could not be denied and Dima appeared quite taken by the entire experience. The more Saha played, the less Nicole was concerned about their situation. Had she not known better, the joint Trill might have suspected that the instrument possessed some sort of magical properties. In truth, this perceived magic was not in the instrument but rather in the hands of the person playing it.
Watching Saha, Nicole could imagine the woman as belonging to some distant pantheon. Her demeanor showed a distinct air of natural superiority. Her skills also seemed to be well above those expected from the common populace. The more time passed, the more enchanting music was played, the more difficult it was to accept one fact. The woman sitting in front of the CNS was none other than the troubled and tortured soul they knew as Gemma.
There was no arguing that it was nice to see someone other than the Russian assassin. The personality referring to herself as Anya easily instilled fear in those around her. There were other personalities, but this latest one had taken the lead as being the most interesting, not to mention enjoyable. Nicole actually found herself wishing for Saha to stay and not be replaced by another. It was unlikely that this would happen, so the Trill simply delighted in the now, enjoying the soothing melodies.
A sensation of loss swept through the CNS when the music stopped. "That was beautiful," Nicole said after a few moments of silence.
"Of course it was," Saha said. The woman was clearly very confident in her skills. "I do have to admit that the acoustics in this room is quite good. I cannot claim the same for the decor though. Still, it is nice t be playing. I cannot remember the last time I was able to enjoy the sound of my music."
"You should make the time," Nicole said. The comment came from her desire to hear more instead of as a CNS. "That music should not be kept silent."
"I agree with you. The universe, on the other hand, has a mind of its own when it comes to this. I find my time to be very restricted. There always seems to be something or someone getting in the way."
"Maybe you will have more time to share your talents once we reach our new home. According to Misaki, the planet we are hading to is a literal paradise. Once we have settled, I am sure that a great many of the crew will enjoy listening to your music." The statement was meant to make Saha feel needed. Instead, Nicole noticed that she had triggered a new power struggle as to which personality would dominate. Clearly, the thought of settling into a new world raised several concerns. Each was easily identified by the personality that flashed on the woman's face. The Russian assassin was considering the hardships they would face in order to survive. The Uxali scientist looked upon the scientific benefits of being in a new world. The Oltharian priestess was ready to offer the spiritual spin of a new existence.
Each of the personalities came and went in the blink of an eye. They were appearing so fast that Nicole could not keep track of which one had forced its way to the surface. All that the CNS knew was that Gemma had lost control, completely. Trying to figure out a way to help, the joint Trill looked around, her searching eyes locking onto the recently created instrument. Dima quickly picked it up and using what she had witnessed as a base, started to play.
As simple as the instrument might have appeared to be, its use was anything but. Every attempt to create some sort of musical note resulted in a cringe-inducing noise. Although Nicole had hoped that the music might soothe the troubled soul, it appeared that the noise created a very similar result. The rapid shifting through the personalities ended with Saha regaining control.
"Maybe you should let me do that." The woman with the golden skin appeared unaware of the battle she had just been a part of. Nicole was not going to make an issue of that though, happy to see that her efforts had worked. "Many can enjoy the beauty of music, but only a few have the skills to create it."
"You will not get any arguments from me on that." The CNS smiled before she let a soft sigh escape. There was no telling how long this new tranquility would last, but at least it would do so for at least a little longer.
=-=
Rachel Jackie Johnson
[The fun is getting to wear multiple disguises and getting to explore multiple personalities and bring them to life. - Jenna Fischer]
---
"Twelve Days to Go"
(Previous Post: (ANU) "Absolute Darkness" / (BAS) "Soothing Melodies")
---
Setting: USS BASTET, Bridge
Stardate: 34006.1900
The remnant of her supper sat in the small plate resting on the arm of the command chair. The Captain was absentmindedly playing with the dried field ration using a single finger as she looked at the image displayed on the forward viewer. The bridge was empty and in near complete darkness, but Selene did not seem to be all that bothered by this, in fact, she actually appeared to be enjoying the setting.
The Captain kept her eyes forward as she heard someone climbing out of the turbolift shaft. In order to keep their energy consumption to the bare possible minimum, the magnetic pods moving through the BASTET had been disabled forcing everyone who wanted to access to the command deck to use the emergency ladder system.
"Welcome to the Bridge Commander," the Captain said having recognized the footsteps of her First Officer. "I hope that the climb was not too demanding."
"After the sumptuous dinner I had, a little bit of a workout was needed," Sarena replied, the sarcasm in her voice very evident. "Speaking of which, you should not waste food like that," Commander Valentine said as she approached the center chair having noticed the plate and field rations. "That would be setting a very poor example to the rest of the crew."
The Captain turned her head to look at the approaching First Officer, the barely visible expression of annoyance gradually being replaced by one of mild amusement. Without saying anything Selene reached for the leftovers on her plate and after scooping them up with her fingers, brought them to her lips where they vanished. "Happy?" Iverson said after swallowing
Seeing this, Sarena smiled as she came to stand next to her Captain. "Things are relatively quiet throughout the ship," the First Officer reported changing the subject to something more serious. "Lieutenant Mitshiba worked all day, despite her injured hand, at figuring the best possible way for us to send the equipment we will need once we reach that M-Class planet."
"We really should find a way to give that planet a name," Selene said, finding it amusing that the crew had apparently accepted to refer to their destination as 'that M-Class planet'.
"I am open to suggestions," Sarena grinned. "That is as long as it does not involve another vote. I think one was more than enough."
"Agreed," the Captain said adding a gentle chuckle. "So, does this mean that you do not have any reports of mutiny caused by the crew having to eat field rations?"
"Not yet," the First Officer replied. "That said, we still have 12 days or so before we reach our destination, so give it time."
"Am I to gather that you have not made any progress in getting the power generators to supply us with a little more energy?" Iverson asked but the expression she saw was all that she needed to figure out the answer.
"Between you and me, I will say that the crew made the right decision in choosing to head for the planet instead of open space," Sarena explained in a whispered voice although no one else was present on the Bridge. "The BASTET is really not in good shape and I am surprised that she is operating as well as she is at the moment. That said, Lieutenant Mitshiba did help me earlier. She suggested that we tap into the bio-regenerative hull matrix to have it act like some kind of solar panel. The energy this would provide would be minimal, but it would be that much more than we currently have. It might actually help us reach the planet without too many problems."
"Has Gemma been able to assist you?" Selene asked. Again, in an effort to cut down on power utilization, the Captain had refrained from asking for reports figuring that if there was something she truly needed to know about, someone would let her know.
"Gemma is still recuperating, at least that is according to Doctor Andersson," Sarena explained. "I swung by the Infirmary on my way here and saw someone new playing some kind of a harp. I must admit that the music was very nice, but seeing this made it clear that Gemma was not in any shape to help. Whoever that persona was, she seemed far more interested in playing music than helping us with our current situation."
"Of all the people on board the BASTET, I think we can both agree that Gemma is the one who will need the most time to come to terms with what it is we are facing," the Captain said. "I am sure that she will come around, in time."
"True," Valentine agreed. "Like I said though, we have a 12-days journey ahead of us. I just hope that Gemma sorts her personalities before then."
"Maybe I should go down and have a chat with her," Selene said. "It would give me the chance to stretch my legs and it might be nice to meet another of her personalities, especially one that is not bent on killing everyone she encounters."
"Go," Sarena said inviting the sitting woman to stand. "I will man the Bridge. Just be careful while using that ladder, remember, you want to get to the Infirmary as a visitor, not as a patient."
"No worries," Selene replied as she stood. "Like you said, with a 12-days journey ahead of us, I do not have to rush. At least that is one positive aspect of this."
---
Jessica Solarik
Captain Selene Fiona Iverson [Access Character BIO for Selene Iverson]
Commanding Officer
USS BASTET
&
Lieutenant Commander Maya [Access Character BIO for Maya]
Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS
"To see the world in a grain of sand,
and a heaven in a wild flower.
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
and eternity in an hour."
- William Blake (British, 1757-1827)
[/\] [/\] [/\] [/\] [/\]
"Stars"
[previous post (ANU) "Working Hard" / (BAS) "Twelve Days to Go")]
Setting: USS BASTET, Bridge
Stardate: 34006.2130
It was like one of those relaxation sessions her mother used to enjoy after a long day's work flying cargo all over Federation space. Sitting in the dark, listening to meditation music while looking at a holographic display of a night's sky filled with stars. As a child, Sarena could never understand why her mother chose to gaze upon those stars when that was what the freighter pilot did for the greater majority of her time. Today, sitting in the near-complete darkness and stillness of the bridge, the Executive Officer understood.
Although no music was playing, Sarena found the sight of the barely moving stars to be quite relaxing, almost mesmerizing. It was rare that they ever gazed upon those twinkling lights in this fashion, the ship either moving too fast for the individual stars to be seen or because the view screen was filled by a planet, a starbase or some other thing they encountered in their travels. Thanks to their D-Drive, there was also a few times where there had not been any stars for them to see no matter what they did. The Lokustaar home dimension came to mind as a grim reminder of that possibility as well as the events that brought them to be here now.
This dimension was not their home and yet the sight of the unknown stars still managed to bring peace to the Executive Officer. Life would certainly not be the same as the one they had come to know but in all fairness, it might not be such a bad thing. Through their silent distant light, the stars seemed to welcome the ship and its crew to this new world, very much in the same manner, as the M-Class planet they were heading for seemed to be doing. Everything Sarena spoke to Misaki, the Chief Science Officer praised the attributes of their destination, describing it through countless ways to be a natural paradise.
With little effort, Valentine could see the star that their new home was orbiting, a small sphere of light that would become soon enough the sun by which their days and nights would be ruled. Like the planet they were traveling to, the star lacked a name or even a designation, but both celestial bodies appeared unaffected by their anonymous presence.
"A paradise," Sarena whispered, thinking of the lush green world Misaki described more than once during their discussions. "Elysium? No, what about Elysia?" the Executive Officer said in a questioning tone, adding a smile as she did so. "I am sure that Misaki would agree and it would be better than referring to it as 'that M-Class planet'. As funny as it was the first few times, I know that I am getting tired of it as I suspect Selene is as well. The name would also perfectly reflect our situation as it would become our home and life after the life we knew."
"That's a beautiful name."
The Executive Officer nearly jumped out of her skin, never having expected someone else to be on the bridge with her. The question as to how the person had made it here without being seen or heard was quickly answered when Sarena identified the unexpected visitor. "Gemma? You nearly scared me into cardiac arrest. I thought you were in Sickbay."
"I was," the ILO calmly replied. "That is why I know that it would not have been a good thing had you suffered from a heart attack, as it would have required someone to locate Doctor Andersson in order to take care of your condition."
"Sofia is not in Sickbay?"
"She was not when I left," Gemma replied. "Only Counselor Dima was there and she was asleep when I decided to go and find you."
"Nicole is asleep in Sickbay?" Sarena was getting more confused with each question she asked.
"Apparently, the musical talents of Saha Rahi are more than sufficient to put someone asleep. Personally, I am not sure if that is a good thing or not. As a musician, one would think that keeping your audience awake would be the desired objective."
"I guess it all depends on the kind of music she played," the Executive Officer said quickly realizing that the woman they were speaking of was another personality of the ILO. "Music can be used to excite people just as easily as it can be used to relax them."
"I am not one to relax," Gemma admitted before looking around the darkened command deck. "Judging by the number of inactive stations, I would guess that you were unsuccessful in getting the power generators to perform at a higher level."
"I tried but there is just not enough for us to work with," the Executive Officer said. "Misaki is working on another plan though. It is our hope that we can modify the bio-regenerative hull matrix to absorb and convert solar radiation into energy. It may not provide us with all that much more power, but any little extra we can manage will make our journey to 'that M-Class planet' a little easier."
"I thought you had decided on calling it Elysia?"
"It was just an idea voiced aloud. I would like for the Captain to hear it first before we even offering it to the rest of the crew. This is going to be our home, so it might be nice for everyone to agree on what we will call it."
Gemma appeared genuinely annoyed by Sarena's statement. "How you people manage to get anything done is beyond me," the ILO lamented. "You worry about the name of that planet and how to agree on it, I'll be in Engineering working on the generators and the modifications to the outer hull."
In the blink of an eye, the ILO had vanished down the turbolift shaft, likely diving down to the Engineering deck without using the ladder. As much as she wanted to be concerned for the ILO, the Executive Officer knew better, Gemma could take care of herself in whatever situation came up, and knowing this meant that it was usually best to let the woman do things her way.
[/\] [/\] [/\] [/\] [/\]
Karen Price
Commander Sarena Valentine [Access Character BIO for Sarena Valentine]
Executive Officer
USS BASTET, NCC 74977
---
"Halfway There"
(Previous Post: (ANU) "Two Sides, One Coin" / (BAS) "Stars")
---
Setting: USS BASTET, Bridge
Stardate: 34013.0800
Selene sat in her chair in the middle of the darkened bridge, her breakfast which consisted of a single French croissant held delicately between the fingers of her right hand. The BASTET was now more than halfway to their destination, a planet that had received the name of ELYSIA following the suggestion of Commander Valentine. Taking a bite out of the pastry she was holding, the Captain smiled as she admitted that and things could be far worse than they were at the moment, in fact one could even say that given the circumstances, things were good.
Thanks to the modifications to their bio-regenerative hull matrix, the ship was able to convert solar energy into power they could use. This extra power might not have been much but it was more than enough to allow each member of the crew to trade one emergency field ration for an actual small meal once every couple of days. Many had jumped on the opportunity to enjoy something, anything that was not a field ration while others chose to wait and accumulate their energy allocation in order to partake in something a little more substantial.
"Decided to go all out and treat yourself this morning I see," Sarena said, the First Officer clearly teasing the Commanding Officer.
"After nearly a week of field rations, this is a major delicacy," Iverson said before taking another small bite out of her breakfast in an effort to make it last as long as possible. "How are things on the rest of the ship?"
The Commander walked up to the sitting Captain and stopped right next to her, standing in a somewhat more relaxed posture while looking at the slowly moving stars on the main viewscreen. "Misaki and Gemma are still trying to get a little more out of the power generators; this despite my telling them that there is no reason. The generators that are working are doing so at the highest possible level we can safely push them, and there is just no way for us to repair the others. Even with the extra power being generated by the hull, we would have to use more power than we would end up generating if we replicated the required parts."
"You have to admire their dedication," the Captain said.
"You call it dedication, I call it stubbornness," Sarena amended. "At least I was able to convince Saha to perform for the crew this evening in the mess hall."
The announcement took Captain Iverson by surprise. "You not only spoke to a specific personality of our ILO but you managed to convince it to schedule something?"
"The last few days have given me the opportunity to get to know Gemma, and some of her personalities better. The woman is quite interesting when you get to know her, or maybe i should say that there are some very interesting personalities buried in that head of hers, but with the help of Nicole, we are making progress in identifying and cataloguing the personalities that reside within her."
"Speaking of Nicole, how is she doing?" Iverson asked, thinking to herself how easily they had, as a crew, fallen out of the habit of referring to others by their rank or last names. The situation had forced them into a more personal level in order to ensure their being able to deal with the hardships they faced.
"Nicole is doing as well as could be expected," Valentine replied. "Sofia is finding all of this exceptionally difficult but I am certain that if someone can get the good Doctor back on track, it is our Counsellor."
"Are you speaking professionally or personally?" The Captain inquired in a way that hinted to her curiosity being far more than simply that of a Commanding Officer towards members of her crew.
"Still not entire certain," Sarena explained. "The situation we are in has forced many to become friendlier with other members of the crew, sometimes due to necessity while in other cases it is the prospect of spending the rest of their lives on an unknown planet that drew them closer. There are times when I think there is something brewing between them but Nicole has too much personal experience thanks to her multiple lifetimes to make those hints obvious, that is if there is actually something there. All I know for sure is that she is doing her best to help a fellow shipmate and her friend."
"Maybe you should speak to Gemma and have her see what she can dig up," Selene playfully suggested. "She is our ILO after all, and if not her maybe there is another personality better suited for that kind of investigation."
Sarena smiled. "Way ahead of you on that one," the Commander admitted. "I think I was able to put one of her personalities on the trail. We just have to wait and see what happens next."
"I cannot believe that you actually did that," Iverson gasped. "I was kidding."
"We still have 5 days or so before we reach ELYSIA," Sarena explained. "The crew is restless and is doing the best they can to get into a routine that will benefit everyone on board as well as promote the success of our establishing a settlement on that world. Keeping everyone busy, in whatever way we can, is what is required to ensure that people do not go completely out of their minds. You have grown to enjoy sitting here and watching the stars crawl by, and I will admit that I too find the sight very pleasing, but not everyone is as easily satisfied as we are. Gemma is definitively one of those people who need to be kept busy; this no matter what personality is in control. She currently has three official things to keep her occupied, the power generators, the investigation into the possible relationship between Nicola and Sofia and the concert this evening."
"Welcome to life aboard the USS BASTET," Selene chuckled. "I can only imagine what it will be like by the time we reach orbit of ELYSIA."
"My prediction," the Commander grinned. "Things are going to get a lot more interesting the closer we get to our destination. There is a distinct feeling of excitement shaping through the crew as we crossed the halfway mark. What was nothing more than hope and dreams is becoming an actually possibility and even a tangible dream. I am sure that the closer we get, the more things will change."
"No what we had signed up for was it?" The Captain rhetorically asked.
"Nope," Sarena replied, "not by a long shut, but we are all making the best we can with what we have, and to be perfectly honest, we are not doing that bad given everything we forged our way through."
"Agreed, I was thinking the exact same thing," Selene admitted returning her attention to the main view screen and the stars slowly making their way across it.
---
Jessica Solarik
Captain Selene Fiona Iverson [Access Character BIO for Selene Iverson]
Commanding Officer
USS BASTET
&
Lieutenant Commander Maya [Access Character BIO for Maya]
Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS
"To see the world in a grain of sand,
and a heaven in a wild flower.
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
and eternity in an hour."
- William Blake (British, 1757-1827)
"Allocation Issues"
Previous posts: (ANU) "The Man By The River" & (BAS) "Halfway There"
///^\\\
Setting: BASTET, Engineering
Stardate: 34013.1000
"Are you alright Lieutenant?"
The question was not unusual aside from the fact that it came from Gemma. Normally the ILO minded her own business pouring herself into whatever required doing instead of taking part in chatting, but somehow Aki had managed to draw the woman's personal attention and concerns.
"I'm fine," Aki replied, maybe a little quicker than she should have. Gemma had done nothing wrong. "I'm just bothered," the CSciO added after a few seconds realizing that it was Gemma she was trying to brush off with a typical dismissive answer.
"I could tell," the ILO said in a way that made her almost sound Vulcan. "You have confirmed the polarity of those connections three times in the last two minutes. Therefore, unless you are aware of something I am not about a possible shift in the way this dimension handles electrical currents, the only possible conclusion is that you are distracted."
Aki's head and shoulders dropped not having realized that the signs were so evident. "I'm sorry. I'm tired due to the fact that I have not been sleeping well. I seem to have lost the ability to tell the difference between night and day thanks to the constant low lighting throughout the BASTET. Eating the same thing at every meal is not helping either."
"Thanks to the energy being collected by the modified outer hull, Commander Valentine has given permission to the crew to indulge in an actual meal once every second day," Gemma said. "Why have you not taken advantage of that option?"
"That is part of the issue," Aki admitted with frustration. "I do not agree with the way that extra energy is being used. We have been living on bare minimal resources for over a week now. Emergency food rations may be good to keep you going for a few days but after that, you start getting a little twitchy when you see those sealed packs. Our eyes have grown accustomed to the low light, which is good as that means we are no longer stumping our toes with every step, but our concept of time, at least for me, has been thrown out the nearest airlock. I strongly believe that we should be channeling that energy to the propulsion system and get us to that planet as quickly as we can."
"Commander Valentine did consider that possibility," Gemma said as if this was a fact known by the crew as a whole. "After some deliberation, we decided that it would make things worse if we rushed in as the extra energy would shave no more than 40 or so hours from our journey. It was believed more beneficial to give the crew a break from the sacrifice of their luxuries to make the rest of the trip more enjoyable."
"You were the one that made her dismiss the idea of getting the BASTET there faster?!?" Aki was shocked, in disbelief but worse she was beyond pissed. "Did it ever occur to you that not everyone is like you? As an ILO you might be used to living in the dark, eating the same tasteless things one day after an another, but we are all not like that."
"Lieutenant," Gemma said, the woman remaining perfectly calm despite the outburst directed at her. "The well being of the entire crew was taken into account by Commander Valentine and myself. The recommendations made to the Captain were not done lightly and took into account everything and everyone. The conclusion was that it made more sense for the crew to arrive at ELYSIA in better spirit over getting there a little faster. That was also the reason why the Commander enlisted the help of Saha Rahi who was happy to accept giving a concerto of sorts for the crew's enjoyment. It made no sense for us to reach our destination is everyone was too much on edge to accomplish the tasks required of them at that time."
"You are right," Aki reluctantly said. "It does make more sense, but that does not mean I have to like it. Maybe listening to some music will help."
"I am told that Saha is a very skilled musician," Gemma said speaking of the woman as if she was someone she only knew bits and pieces of. "I am sure that those in attendance will find the event most entertaining."
"Those in attendance? Are you not planning on being there?" Aki was curious. The name Saha Rahi was unknown to her, so the CSciO immediately assumed that it referred to another of the ILO's many personalities. How Gemma managed to keep all of those different identities straight in her mind was a puzzle that the Asian woman could barely begin to understand.
"I do not intend to be there," Gemma said. "I would not find the performance enjoyable as I am not one to enjoy such things, plus my being there would deprive someone else the opportunity to enjoy it first hand. With the BASTET functioning at minimal power, I am sure that the music will travel relatively well through the ship, but being in the same room is acoustically preferable."
Aki just looked onto the shadow-laced face of the ILO, unable to come to terms with the way this conversation had progressed. Here they were initially talking about the allocation of extra energy to now addressing the musical performance that would be given by herself under another identity that she considered to be completely separate from herself.
"If I may suggest," the ILO continued. "You should see Doctor Andersson, I am sure that she could give you something to help with your sleeping disorder. At the same time, it might be beneficial for you to speak to Counselor Dima. As busy as she might be dealing with the crew's various issues pertaining to our current situation, I am certain that she will make a point to address your needs as quickly as she can as it would not make sense to not have a member of the senior staff operating at lest then their best."
The CSciO was not sure what to say, or even if she should say anything at all. Gemma had been right every other time before, so why would she not be this time? As weird as some of the discussion with the ILO could be, they always proved to be insightful on a great many things except one, the multi-personality woman herself.
///^\\\
Dawn Bohr
Lieutenant Misaki 'Aki' Mitshiba [Access Character BIO for Misaki Mitshiba]
Chief Science Officer
USS BASTET - NCC 74977
=-=
"Performance Anxiety"
[the previous post was (ANU) "A Dark Trail" / (BAS) "Allocation Issues"]
=-=
Setting: USS BASTET, Counselor's Office
Stardate: 34013.1900
Gemma sat opposite Nicole, the light of a single candle set on the table between them dancing on their visage. The CNS had not expected the visit from the ILO, but she was not about to turn her away. If the woman was here, it was because there was a reason, so Dima listened.
"I thought I was goal-oriented, but Aki is worst than me. Our inability to get the power generators to operate at a higher output is upsetting her more than anyone could have expected. The allocation of the energy collected by the solar outer shell is not making things any easier for her. I understand where she is coming from. She wants us to get to our destination as quickly as possible."
The CNS nodded in agreement. "Our journey to ELYSIA has proven to be a difficult one for many. The lack of light, the emergency rations, even the general feel of the ship is difficult for some to deal with. I agree that it will be nice to reach our destination."
"Reach our destination should not be the only goal we set our eyes on. Doing so might risk us actually arriving in a worse state than we are now. Arriving even a few days earlier would require a great many sacrifices. If people are having a hard time now, imagine how many would be unable to make it. I admire Aki, I truly do, but she needs to step back and realize that there are other things for us to do."
"Like attending Saha's concerto?" Nicole gleefully asked, glad that the subject was brought up. "Will you be attending?" Of course, the CNS knew the answer to the question. Physically speaking, Gemma and Saha were the same people. What Dima wanted to see was how Gemma would deal with this event on a personal level.
The ILO's reply was quick and straight to the point. "I will not. I do not require music; however well played it may be, in order for me to relax. I also believe that my presence might prove to be disruptive to Saha's performance."
"Disruptive?" Nicole was curious, to say the least. "How so?" The CNS might not have been ready to admit it, but she was looking forward to hearing the answer. Under different circumstances, Gemma would be the perfect subject of several psychological studies. The woman was an extreme case of multiple personalities. What made it even more fascinating was the fact that her nanites gave those personalities a face and voice of their own.
Although she knew about the Ub-Hani musician, Nicole had not expected to see her appear at this point. "That woman is unable to appreciate art, in whatever form it may be presented to her. I have the utmost confidence that she can tell the difference between a warp core and a medical scanner. I am equally certain that she would be unable to discern the subtle charms of different instruments. Therefore, her inability to appreciate the performance would be disruptive. Personally, I much prefer performing to an audience that is at least in part capable of enjoying it."
The CNS leaned back into her chair. This could prove to be a very interesting conversation. "That sounds rather harsh. Do you not believe everyone capable of enjoying your music?"
"Some people are more capable of letting themselves be taken by the feelings and emotions. Like yourself, personal experiences allow you to find beauty in what cannot be seen." It was easy to see that Saha strongly believed in what she was saying. "Gemma, unfortunately, can listen to music but could never appreciate the emotional significance of those melodies. Think of it this way, would you trust an engineer with performing open-heart surgery? Would you trust a Doctor with repairing a shuttle? Both are skilled workers in their respective fields, but this leaves them ill-equipped to work outside of their domain. As an ILO, I would imagine many are willing to trust her with dangerous and complex issues. I would not be able to trust her to sit and let herself be carried away by soul-moving music. Her lack of emotional response would be distracting, to both her and me."
"That is a very interesting point of view."
"Counselor," Saha continued, stopping Nicole from saying anything more. "You of all people must realize that people are not created equal. Some, like myself, have skills that stand far above the reach of the general population. Some, like Gemma, have restrictions that force them to be below the common average. I have nothing against her on a personal level. I just know that her being there would be a waste of both our times. That said, if you truly wish for her to attend, you are more than welcome to try and convince her."
Nicole chuckled. The thought of trying to convince Gemma to do something she did not want to do was already problematic. Asking her to attend the concerto given by another of her personalities could prove to be interesting, if not impossible. As much as the Trill was ready to try though, she figured it best to not push the issue. Forcing the woman to confront her multiple personalities on such a level could create problems. "You do not want her to be there, and I agree with you that she will more than likely not want to be there. As this will be your first public performance on board the BASTET, let us make sure that it is as good as it can be."
"Counselor, are you putting my abilities in question?" The tone of Saha's question made Nicole nervous. The Trill had not intended to upset the woman. All of these questions were meant to study her reactions. At best, it would give the CNS a better understanding as to how these different personalities interact with one another.
"Saha," Nicole said, moving forward to the front edge of her seat. "I have heard you play. I would be the last person on board to question your abilities. I was simply trying to explain the reasoning behind my agreeing with you. I see no reason to force Gemma to attend the performance. I believe that the crew, at least those who will be there, will greatly benefit from the experience."
The Ub-Hani smiled, instantly reassuring the Trill CNS. "Of course they will," Saha said. The woman's beliefs in her own musical skills and abilities were limitless. Some might have seen this as being obnoxious, but Nicole accepted it as being nothing more than a trait of the woman sitting before her. "I should get ready for the concerto. I need to make sure that the acoustics are adequate for what I intend on sharing with the members of your crew."
"Allow me to escort you to the mess hall."
The two women left together. One was busy thinking about the music she would be performing. The other was thinking about the personality standing next to her. Dima had never encountered anyone like Gemma. The CNS could spend the rest of her career studying that woman, writing psychological journal entries one after the other. The problem was that in this universe, who would benefit from those? It was best to just enjoy the person for whom she was, at this moment.
=-=
Rachel Jackie Johnson
[The fun is getting to wear multiple disguises and getting to explore multiple personalities and bring them to life. - Jenna Fischer]
=-=
"A Quick Detour"
[the previous post was (ANU) "Counseling Session" by Rachel / (BAS) "Performance Anxiety" by Rachel]
=-=
Setting: USS BASTET, Andersson's Quarters
Stardate: 34013.1935
The living room was dark, as was the bedroom, the dining area not to mention the rest of the ship. They were living in a perpetual night with no dawn in sight. Through the window Sofia was looking at, the Chief Medical Officer could see the unknown stars of this dimension, their gentle movement a reminder of just how slow the pace of the BASTET was. A journey that would have normally taken hours if not minutes had taken days and weeks.
The gentle sound of someone knocking at the door failed to make the golden-haired woman stop what she was doing, not because she was too busy but simply because she no longer cared. It took a few minutes before the door was pried open by whoever had been on the other side. Even after hearing the footsteps rushing into her quarters, the CMO remained still, fixated on the small lights visible through the window.
"How did you manage to close the door so tightly?" Nicole asked, the Counselor doing her best to remain calm and professional. Sofia was showing clear signs of depressions and finding the door closed the way it was had made the Trill fear the worse, even if only for a split second. "I'm worried about you," Dima whispered as she leaned her chin on the woman's right shoulder, the one-inch difference between their respective heights made the sweet gesture not as easy to accomplish as the CNS had hoped.
"I'm trying," Sofia said, her voice admitting defeat despite her claim. "Part of me knows that we are only days away from that planet, from our new home, but those days might as well be centuries the way I feel. I just can't shake this sadness."
Nicole wrapped her arms around Sofia and gave the woman a tight squeeze. This was not the usual way a Counselor would normally deal with such a situation, but this was an exception brought upon by feelings that the Trill could not have for anyone else. "Everyone is having a hard time with this. I am sure that neither Captain Iverson nor Commander Valentine expected this. The plan made perfect sense on a physical level taking into account all of the available resources; just no one could have expected the toll it would have on the crew's morale. Making a little more power available to the food replicators was one way to try and help the situation. Saha Rahi's performance is another."
"I noticed that you and she are getting along quite well," Sofia said, her tearful gaze locked on the distant twinkling lights in an effort to hide them from Nicole.
"Please tell me that you are not jealous?" The Trill sighed. "I know that this may come across as cliché but my interest in Gemma, or any of her other personalities, is strictly professional. The woman is psychologically something that we were told was impossible. Having a true split personality is exceptionally rare and usually leads to conflicts between them that end up ripping the person apart. Gemma has dozens upon dozens of personalities in that head of hers, and they all seem to coexist in relative harmony with one another. I am still trying to understand how this is possible, and it is the only reason why I spend time with her. Maybe that was a mistake. Maybe I should not have given you as much time and space as I did for you to work things out on your own. I was afraid that you would come to resent me if I pushed too hard. I may be the Ship's Counselor, but that is the last thing I want you to see me as."
"During these days of darkness, you have been the light that has kept me going," Sofia said turning to face the woman who was still holding on to her. "You are now and will forever be more than the Ship's Counselor to me. I just wished that I could be more to you than what I am now."
"You are," Dima said. "You can be even more."
"How so?"
"By accepting to being my 'date'," Nicole said, flashing a loving smile at the woman she was still holding on to. "Gemma, I mean Saha, is going to be performing a concert in the mess hall. Some of the members of the crew were kind enough to lend her musical instruments that they had with them. The list of instruments is very eclectic but based on what Saha has said about her own skills, I am expecting quite a show and I am sure that there will be a great many people surprised. However the music turns out to be though; I would like you to be there with me, by my side. It will give us a chance to spend some time together and for you to do something other than standing here looking at the stars."
"What if I say no?" Sofia said, clearly teasing the woman in front of her.
"I will have no other choice but to knock you out and drag you to the mess hall myself. I will tell the Captain that you ran into a bulkhead or just fainted on your way to the concert because you were overwhelmed by the amazing show we are all expecting to enjoy." Nicole paused for a moment, looking deeply into Sofia's dark brown eyes. "One way or the other, you are going to be sitting next to me for that concert."
"Is the Ship's Counselor aware of your anger issues?" The Doctor asked, again teasing the woman.
"She is very aware of it," the Trill replied, letting go of the Human in order to take a single large step back. "It is also the reason why she never refuses me when I ask for something. So, will you be joining me?" Nicole extended an inviting hand towards Sofia who glanced down at it before smiling and joining her hand to hers.
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"Everything."
=-=
Tiffany Reeve
Commander Shar'El [Access Character BIO for Shar'El]
Executive Officer / Intel Liaison Officer
USS ANUBIS
---
"Melody of the Soul"
(Previous Post: (ANU) "Unwelcomed Distraction" / (BAS) "A Quick Detour")
---
Setting: USS BASTET, Mess Hall
Stardate: 34013.2200
The room was dark, with the only lights shinning on the woman sitting by herself at the front of the gathered crowd. An impressive array of instruments from various worlds rested around her as she played the one currently in her expert hands. Everyone in attendance was in silent admiration of the musical performance that seemed to go on forever, and no one was complaining about it. In their shared quiet wonderment, the crowd was in agreement; this was where and when everyone needed to be.
Thanks to the generosity of those on board the BASTET who possessed a musical instrument, the golden skin artist had at her disposal a wide selection to entertain her audience with. Understanding that instruments alone could not be responsible for any sort of music, be it pleasant or eardrum shattering, no one could have expected what followed. The moment the music started the room was filled with an unparalleled atmosphere brought to life by mesmerizing and unique melodies that seemed to come from a different place and time.
Gemma, or more accurately the body that played host to so many different identities, was truly a woman of endless surprises. This latest persona proved to be even more unexpected than any of the ones that had come before her. During her self-introduction as she took her place before the gathered crewmembers, Saha Rahi came across as boastful and egotistical, but the moment she started playing everyone agreed that her claims had not been exaggerated. The woman was a bonafide maestra with skills that stood well beyond what anyone could have suspected or expected. Thanks to the concerto, everyone in the Mess Hall had forgotten about their daily troubles, abandoning themselves to the magic of the music being played for them by a member of their own crew whom never ceased to amaze them.
Looking to her right, Selene saw the faint silhouette of the Chief Science Officer. The Asian woman had earlier offered a theory to explain how it could be possible for so many different set of skills and such a wide accompanying range of knowledge to be present in a single physical form. According to Misaki, it was very probable that the nanites found throughout the body of the Intelligence Liaison Officer could, as a combined mass, hold this complex level of data. As these same nanites responded to specific brainwaves triggering a change in her physical appearance, it was possible that those small robots, linked to that particular identity, could engage and provide the new dominant conscious mind with the information it considered to be relevant to its needs and specified abilities. Since the miniature mechanical devices could not be scanned or analyzed by the equipment on board the ANUBIS, there was no way to confirm this hypothesis but that did not stop the Chief Science Officer, the Chief Medical Officer and everyone else to remain in complete awe of the woman in question.
Looking to her left, Captain Iverson saw her First Officer who appeared to be on the edge of an uncharacteristic emotional display. Although more emotional than the Vulcan-like Selene, Sarena had never been one to let her feelings openly show, and yet there she was, sitting with watery eyes. Quickly noticing that her unintentional display had been noticed, Valentine immediately regained her composure and leaned in towards the Commanding Officer. "She is almost managing to make us wish that it will take longer to reach ELYSIA."
Giving the surrounding people a quick glance and taking note of their facial expressions, as best she could due to the faint lighting, Captain Iverson had no choice but to agree with the assessment of her First Officer. With her attention momentarily diverted away from the musical artist, Selene took the opportunity observe the reactions of the members of her senior staff. Everyone seemed to delight in the concerto with one glaring exception; the Flight Control Officer, Ensign Ashton Dean, who had elected to not attend the performance. Selene made a mental note of this and would ask Counsellor Dima to pay him a visit tomorrow, just to make sure that he was alright. Of all of bridge officers, he was the only one who still resisted the idea of them being stuck in this dimension with no way of ever returning to the homes, lives and people left behind.
Feeling a twinge of sadness threatening to embed itself in her mind, Selene turned her attention back to the musical performer embracing the hypnotical melody. ELYSIA was now less than five days away, this meant that they were ,more than half way there and that keeping a positive attitude was more important now than ever before. Settling on a new world would not be easy, and starting the process with a pre-set conception that things would be more difficult than they would be able to handle would serve no purpose. Everyone would play an important role in the weeks to come, and the crew would have to rely on each other more than ever before if they were to make this possible. Listening to the music played by Saha Rahi, Captain Iverson believed that they had a very good chance to managing this challenge more than just a little.
---
Jessica Solarik
Captain Selene Fiona Iverson [Access Character BIO for Selene Iverson]
Commanding Officer
USS BASTET
&
Lieutenant Commander Maya [Access Character BIO for Maya]
Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS
"To see the world in a grain of sand,
and a heaven in a wild flower.
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
and eternity in an hour."
- William Blake (British, 1757-1827)
“Survivor’s Guilt”
[Previous Posts: (ANU) "The Direct Approach" / (BAS) "Melody of the Soul"]
=/\=
Setting: USS BASTET, Dima’s Quarters
Stardate: 34014.0500
Sofia roused from a sound sleep, feeling the peached fabric of the duvet beneath her and remembering she wasn’t in her own quarters. She also wasn’t alone. Nicole was lying next to her, her bare feet covered by a small blanket. Their jackets and shoes had been placed on a side chair. Two empty glasses sat on the nightstand. Nic had used her replicator ration to request some sparkling pear nectar, which acted as cold and refreshing nightcap. There were faint lights near the floor panel, allowing a dim but safe view.
Saha Rahi’s concert had been an uplifting experience, and while the crew as a whole was obviously tired from the efforts to get them safely to ELYSIA, the Ub-Hani hybrid had managed to pull off a magical evening. The two women, somewhat re-energized, had ended up walking back to the senior officers’ suites hand in hand, then talking with each other in the haven of the Counselor’s accommodations. Eventually, fatigue had set in, and talk had turned to much needed rest.
Sofia put her head back down, but almost as soon as she did, the Trill woman stretched and sat up. “I didn’t mean to wake you,” the CMO said apologetically.
Nicole grinned impishly. “No apologies necessary,” she replied, brushing a piece of blonde hair away from Sofia’s forehead and gently caressing her cheek. “The company was more than welcome.”
Sofia smiled in return. “So was the conversation… and what about the performance? That was amazing too.”
Nic nodded. It was all she could do to remind herself that Saha was only one persona of their mysterious ILO. “I don’t know how Gemma does what she does. She has more abilities than a dozen joined trills.”
“Yes. But she does lack control of them, at least in the traditional sense. You don’t have old hosts barging in unexpectedly.”
A somber thought crossed Nicole’s face as she stood up.
“What’s wrong?” Sofia asked, wrapping the discarded blanket around her shoulders.
“I feel guilty,” Nicole said, picking up the glasses and bringing them over to the kitchen area.
Doctor Andersson looked puzzled. “Why?”
“The Lokustaar,” she answered, as if that explained everything.
“What about them?”
The brunette pushed up the sleeves of her teal shirt as she walked back. “We have no communication… we don’t know what they are doing. We don’t know where they are right now. Our comrades the ANUBIS and NEW ALEXANDRIA could be in the biggest battle of their lives and we can’t even tell them where *we* are, much less return to help.”
“Are you saying you wish you had voted differently?” The Doctor’s voice involuntarily rose a little. Nic had held such a positive attitude throughout most of this mess, it was a little surprising to see her this way.
The fifth host to the Dima symbiont sat next to Sofia on the edge of the bed, trying to reassure her. “No, I stand by my choice one hundred percent. I hope that whatever they need to do to succeed, they can do it without us. But I’d also like to think we would have made a positive difference if we had been where we needed to be, instead of where we are now.”
“Don’t you believe in destiny?”
The Counselor sighed. “When I think of the word destiny, I imagine rainbows, children’s laughter, and other good things. Being transported to an unknown planet on a failing vessel, that sounds more like fate to me than destiny. I think I’m finally beginning to understand more about how Ensign Dean and Ensign Roman are feeling about this.”
“In what way?”
“Going to ELYSIA is our best chance at *life*, at survival. But I have to ask myself, what kind of life will it be, if we are stuck in a place where we cannot pursue the goals we have all trained for?”
“But we’re not *stuck*- we’re headed to a paradise. What are the chances we’d be close enough to safely reach an M-Class planet? I would say that’s at least good luck.” Sofia reached out and squeezed Nic’s hand.
Nicole smiled through a pained expression, holding on to Sofia’s hand. “And, that’s another reason I feel guilty. You.”
Andersson’s eyes widened with concern. “Why me?”
“I’ve always been pretty self-reliant. A little sheltered by my family maybe, but definitely driven to make a difference. I’m used to carrying out orders and helping the crew mentally adjust to any challenges in their way. And you have to admit this is a colossal challenge.”
“Yes, it is. But I don’t see what you’re getting at.”
“I am the one who is expected to support others. It’s not often that I find myself in need of support. But, ever since the moment we met, that’s what I have needed. Your support.”
“You did save me from the Reman prison camp,” Sofia reminded her. “Don’t discount that.”
“I’m not used to having to lean on others. Especially with so many of the crew separated from their loved ones, their children. Forced to live apart from them in a new environment. But I’m lucky enough to have you here, by my side.” Nicole leaned in, kissing Sofia softly.
“I think we’re both lucky,” Sofia answered, a little breathless.
=/\=
=-=
"A Brighter Day"
[the previous post was (ANU) "The Direct Approach" by Moi / (BAS) "Survival's Guilt" by Susan]
=-=
Setting: USS BASTET, Corridor
Stardate: 34014.0715
The corridors seemed brighter somehow. Sofia knew that this was mechanically impossible as the higher light settings would require more power to be pulled from their depleting reserves, but yet everything around her appeared brighter. As she turned her gaze to the woman walking next to her, she reached out and squeezed her hand and smiled.
"What was that for?" Nicole asked, echoing the CMO's smile.
"Thinking back to last night and this morning," Andersson said. "Also for my realizing that he was right."
"Who?" Dima wondered both professionally and personally as this simple answer could give her a unique perspective into the way the golden-hair woman thought.
"Marcus Aurelius," Sofia said as if that name explained everything.
"You got me," the Trill said looking puzzled. "Even though I have several lifetimes of experiences to draw upon, that name means nothing to me."
"He was the ruler of the Roman Empire in EARTH's ancient history over two and a half thousand years ago. He was known and highly respected for his philosophical interests. I saw some of his quotes hanging on the walls of one of my Academy professor's classroom," the Doctor explained. "The one I remember the most is that 'The universe is change, our life is what our thoughts make it to be', or something like that. After all those years I am not sure if I remember it perfectly."
"We had a philosopher on Trill with the same general idea," Nicole said. "Why mention this now?"
"After yesterday and this morning, my life seems different, better," Sofia said. "I was thinking that the corridors seemed somehow brighter, and knowing that this could not have been because of an increased illumination, I started to wonder why and thought of that quote. It applies very well to us, both as individuals and as officers on board the BASTET. Our lives are shaped by our thoughts, even if we do not realize it. Just being here with you like this is making things already so much better. I feel like I will be able to conquer whatever comes our way, at least that is as long as you are by my side."
"That's sweet," Nicole said, trying not to blush. "Our first obstacle will have to be breakfast though."
"Field rations," the CMO said forcing a bounce in her step. "What a way to start such a glorious day."
=-=
Setting: USS BASTET, Mess Hall
Stardate: 34014.0730
The two women entered to find the room back to its usual layout. Everything was back as it was making it almost seem as if the performance from the night before had been nothing but a dream, but what a dream it was. Looking at the exact location where Saha Rahi was when she played all of those instruments made the CMO smile. The music had been perfect, just as the company and the rest of the evening leading to this morning.
"Could we have some savory eggs sunny side up garnished with some salt and pepper alone with a couple of slices of Risian bread? A couple of glasses of freshly pressed Andorian sunfruits would go well with that, think you can make that happen for us?" Sofia asked of the crewman in charge of distributing the field rations.
The man seemed completely taken aback by the request, not having expected such an elaborate order to be given. "Sir?" He asked in return, trying to gauge if this was a genuine request or some sort of a joke that he was obviously missing the point of.
"Excuse us," Nicole quickly interjected. "Thanks to the performance from last night, she has not slept as much as she should have."
"Is that what we are blaming it on?" the CMO teased in a whispered voice, making sure that only the CNS heard those words. The rest of the crew would quickly enough figure things out, if they had not already done so, but there was no need to make a spectacle of it. "Sorry, I guess I'm just in one of those moods this morning. Can we have a couple of field rations and a single allocation of water for us to share?"
The crewman shrugged and proceeded to fill the request as he reached into one of the opened containers by his feet to retrieve three small pouches, two labeled as food and one indicating that it contained water. With their breakfast in hand, the two women made their way to the nearest available table and sat one in front of the other.
"It's actually strange to see the mess hall back to normal," Andersson commented. "It actually felt like the performance from last night would never end, not that I was complaining. Gemma truly amazed everyone last night beyond any expectations."
"I believe that everyone did enjoy it, with one exception," the CNS said. "Gemma did not seem to be in the least bit interested in the performance, which I guess was a good thing."
"But Gemma was there," Sofia said. "That or I truly dreamt the whole thing," she added with a chuckle.
"No, it was Saha Rahi who played for us," Nicole made the distinction as clear as she could. "Not Gemma. I know that it is difficult to understand the difference some times, but to her every personality is a completely separate entity that exists outside of her body. Gemma made it clear that she did not want to hear the performance."
"As skilled as she is, I will say this," the CMO said. "I am glad that I am not in her mind."
"There are times when I wonder if she does not feel the same way," the Trill noted. "Let's enjoy our breakfast, we can go and check in on her after." With that said, both women ripped the food pouches and took a small bite out of the dehydrated content before taking a sip from their drink.
"Maybe you should have saved your replicator ration for this morning. We could have had a fancier and tastier breakfast," Sofia said looking at the content of the pouch in her hand.
"Are you saying that last night's sparkling pear nectar was not enjoyable?" Dima teased.
"It was very enjoyable... but not as much as the company was," Andersson smiled back causing both women to gaze at one another before laughing out loud in unison. The unexpected display of joy took several, if not all in the mess hall by surprise leaving several of them to wonder as to what could have happened to cause them to be in such a happy mood, especially when considering the ship and crew's current situation.
=-=
Tiffany Reeve
Commander Shar'El [Access Character BIO for Shar'El]
Executive Officer / Intel Liaison Officer
USS ANUBIS
"Feeling Better"
Previous posts: (ANU) "Hurry Up and Breathe" & (BAS) "A Brighter Day"
///^\\\
Setting: BASTET, Cargo Bay 2
Stardate: 34014.1000
Aki took a moment to step back and admire her handy work. The heavy, reinforced crates containing the supplies they would need to establish a settlement were now equipped with parachutes that would ease their descent down to the planet's surface. Many of those same crates were already packed solid with everything that the CSciO believe might be needed to make things easier for them. Traveling back and forth between the planet and the BASTET was not an option, so they needed to make sure that everything was planned out to the finest detail.
Looking at the crates, the Asian woman thought back to yesterday, a day that felt like it was so long ago and yet equally felt like as if it had happened within the last few minutes. Twenty-four ago, Aki was angry, upset and even a little depressed. She felt tired from lack of decent sleep and was questioning the decisions of her superiors in regards to the allocation of power, and pretty much everything else. The low lighting and the more than limited choices for food were only two aspects of their current situation that had contributed to making her the way she was.
Today, 24 hours later, the same woman felt relaxed, hopeful, and almost joyous. Nothing about their situation had changed but somehow her feelings had gone through a complete polarity switch. What the CSciO found even more interesting was that the only possible reason she could find was the concert from last night. The music had truly been enchanting, takin those who were there on a surreal journey that went beyond space, time and dimensions. After the performance, Aki returned to her quarters and instantly fell asleep, waking up feeling refreshed.
How a single person playing a few musical instruments had managed to accomplish this was beyond the understanding of the CSciO, but Aki actually did not care. What mattered was the way she currently felt and the fact that the majority of the crates were now ready for deployment, and that thought made the Asian woman smile.
The BASTET was four days away from ELYSIA, named after the Elysian Fields of ancient Greek mythology where gods and heroes went for their final rests. At first, Aki found the selected name a little disturbing but today she accepted it without a second thought. Based on all of the information they had managed to gather with their limited sensors, the planet was a literal paradise fitting the name chosen for it.
"Things are looking good," Commander Valentine said as she walked in and came to stand right next to the CSciO. "Is that it though?"
"What do you mean, is that it?"
"The content of this cargo bay seems to be a little short compared to what we will need in order to establish a settlement on ELYSIA. I am sure that there will be ample natural resources for us to draw upon, but getting those will take time, so it will be easier if we bring down more then the bare essentials."
Yesterday, Aki would have not taken too kindly to the First Officer's comment. The CSciO would have likely taken personal offense even if none had been meant for no other reason than it was the state of mind she was in. Today though was different and the comment was taken as a positive criticism that the Asian woman was more than ready to go up against.
"You have nothing to worry about Commander," Mitshiba said with a distinct air of subdued pride. "Cargo Bay 1 is set up with all of the material for the building of the infrastructure of our new homes while Cargo Bay 3 has all of the science and engineering equipment we will need once we are there. It will be useful for us to get a better idea of our environment and make the best use of it instead of trying to find ways to go *against* it."
"You have been busy," Valentine said clearly happy with the report. "Sounds like you are going to have some free time on your hands for the next few days."
"Far from it, Commander," Aki said going as far as to add a smile doing so. "I still have a full set of crates to prepare in Cargo Bay 4 as well as give the shuttles we will be using a quick once over. We have to make every trip count so that we do not end up running out of power before everything is done."
"I am very glad to hear that you have everything under control," the Commander said, hinting that she might have believed this was not the case. Again, 24 hours ago, she would have been correct as Aki felt more than overwhelmed, but today things were completely different. It was amazing what a good night's rest could accomplish giving the CSciO a new and fresh take on everything happening around her. This did not change the fact that they were stranded in a never before explored dimension or that they would likely never be able to return home. What it did change was the way she looked at things, focussing on the positives and challenges before them instead of the negatives and obstacles that stood in their way.
ELYSIA was by all accounts a paradise, so why look upon it as a hell they would have to endure for the rest of their lives. It was much better for everyone to embrace this opportunity and make the best of it. Who knows, it was quite possible that this would be the first step of a civilization that would expand into the universe, a civilization that would look upon them as their ancestors once did about their own mythological beings.
Aki smiled as she looked at the crates once again thinking that this change in attitude had all come to be thanks to the performance Saha Rahi gave the night before. The Asian woman hoped that the talented musician would give another such performance, this time once they were settled in their new home.
///^\\\
Dawn Bohr
Lieutenant Misaki 'Aki' Mitshiba [Access Character BIO for Misaki Mitshiba]
Chief Science Officer
USS BASTET - NCC 74977
---
"Feels Like Home"
(Previous Post: (ANU) "Overwhelming Feelings" / (BAS) "Feeling Better")
---
Setting: USS BASTET, Bridge
Stardate: 34018.1100
A collective sigh of relief filled the bridge as the green sphere floating in the emptiness of space now names ELYSIA filled the main view screen. No magnification had been used which meant that they had finally arrived. After two long weeks os living in the dark, eating field rations and doing everything without the use of power, they had made it to their destination. The draw back to all this was that this meant the hard work was about to start.
"We made it," Commander Valentine announced, relief and joy floating in her words. "Lieutenant Mitshiba, what are our power reserves at?"
"Just over 5 percent Commander," Misaki reported. "We made it, barely."
"But we did make it, and that what counts," Sarena added wanting to make sure that there would not be any debates started at this point as to whether or not the power should have been used in another manner than it was over the last two weeks.
"Agreed," Selene noted before standing from her chair and making her way to the Flight Control Officer. "Ensign Dean, please bring us into high orbit. Time for us to get a better look at this presumed natural paradise."
Ashton nodded his head and complied. He still was not happy about the course of action that was selected, but he had to accept that this was the decision reached by the greater majority of the crew. Now they were here and needed to make the best of their situation, no matter what their feelings were.
While the Flight Control Officer proceeded as ordered, the Captain pivoted 180 degrees on her heel and faced the rest of the senior officer currently on the command deck of the USS BASTET. "Computer, ship wide."
---
Setting: USS BASTET, Infirmary
Stardate: 34018.1102
Doctor Andersson and Counsellor Dima were organizing the medical supplies for transport when the voice of their Captain came over the ship wide channel.
=/\= We have made it. We are about to enter orbit of ELYSIA, our new home. I know that the last two weeks have not been easy, in fact, they have been quite demanding on us all in one way or another, but we are here. This was possible thanks to all of your hard work, dedication and sacrifices. =/\=
---
Setting: USS BASTET, Engineering
Stardate: 34018.1103
Gabrielle Wolf, the saboteur turned engineer, had stopped her work on the power distribution system in order to listen to the announcement.
=/\= As difficult as the last few weeks have been, we must all accept that the weeks to come will be even more demanding. With our power reserves down to a mere 5 percent, the task of sending the equipment and material required for us to create a new life on the planet is going to be challenging to say the least. This is part of the reason why, as soon as Lieutenant Mitshiba identifies the perfect location to set up camp, we will start shuttling people down. =/\=
---
Setting: USS BASTET, Bridge
Stardate: 34018.1105
"Since we will not be able to refuel our two shuttle pods or our one and only runabout, every trip will have to be packed with as many people as can be squeezed in. The inconvenience is unfortunately quite necessary to maximize our energy usage. Equipment and materials will be parachuted down thanks to the preparations and work of our Chief Science Officer. As this method will require minimum energy, our only obstacle will be to retrieve these crates once they reach the surface, wherever thay may be." Selene took a moment to meet the gaze of her officers as this was likely the last time she would be able to do so like this. "I would ask that all personnel coordinate with Commander Valentine when you are ready to go head to the surface. Please keep in mind that this will be a one-way trip in order to make the best possible usage of the fuel currently on board the embarked crafts. Thank you. Captain Iverson out."
"Well done," Sarena said.
"Captain," Misaki cautiously interjected. "As of the last count, which was when the votes were tabulated, there are 253 crew members on board the BASTET. Even if we managed to force 10 people into one shuttle pod, and that each pod will be capable of doing 4 maybe 5 round trips on the fuel reserves each has, this will account for only 100 of the 253 souls on board."
"We should be able to cram 30 or so people into the runabout, but I strongly doubt that there will be enough fuel to complete the 5 to 6 trips required," Valentine added, the math having been done well before the announcement.
"Captain," Ensign Dean said, looking over his left shoulder at the woman standing near him. "Once we are in orbit over the area the crew will be heading down to, I would like a few moments of your time."
"Of course Ensign. Lieutenant Mitshiba, any luck in finding that perfect spot?"
"Actually, Captain, I believe I have," the Chief Science Officer said sounding rather surprised. "The area is large enough for us to easily establish ourselves and even potentially grow. There are a couple of nearby rivers that we will be able to use as sources of fresh water, and there is a small lake right at the foot of a set of mountains that will provide us with shelter from the elements. According to these readings, I believe that there might even be a water fall feeding into that lake."
"A natural paradise indeed," the Captain said smiling. "Very well, please relay the coordinates to Ensign Dean. Ensign," Selene continued after turning to face the Flight Control officer. "As soon as we have established a secured low-altitude orbit, you can come and see me in my Ready Room."
"Captain, can I have a word with you first?" Valentine asked to which Iverson simply replied by inviting her to step into the Ready Room.
---
Setting: USS BASTET, Ready Room
Stardate: 34018.1110
"What is on your mind Commander?"
"We never talked about who would head down to the surface first," Sarena said. "In all of our excitement to get here, we never thought to discuss the specifics that would come into play once we arrived."
"I guess we silently kept the possibility of our not making it to ourselves and did not want to be distracted by what was only one of several possible outcomes," the Captain theorizes. "Now that we are here though, you are right, we should talk about it. As the First Officer, the responsibility of leading an away mission is yours."
"With all due respect, this is far more than a simple away mission," Sarena stated. "Whoever is going to be down there is going to be responsible for establishing the entire layout of what will become our permanent settlement. That responsibility, if not honour, should be that of the Captain."
"Thank you," Selene said with a smile. "I appreciate your vote of confidence, but it is also the responsibility of the Captain to remain on board their vessel to the very end. Granted I have no intention of going down with my ship, but I believe it would not feel right if I was not the last one to leave the BASTET."
"We seem to have reached an impasse," the Commander said, trying to sound as upset as she could.
The sound of the door chime ended the discussion between the Captain and First Officer. "We will have to finish this at a later time, right now let us focus simply on getting everything ready." Sarena smiled and made her way to the door which opened to reveal the Flight Control Officer waiting for his turn to come in. "Come on in Ensign. What can I do for you?"
Ashton waited for the door to close behind him before starting. "Captain, as you are aware, not everyone on board the BASTET voted in favour of us coming here. I have managed to figure out who some of them were and after speaking with them we agreed."
"Agreed? Should I be concerned?"
"Not at all Captain, in fact this should make things easier for you. Those that I have spoken to have agreed to stay behind on board the BASTET," the Ensign said.
"What? But you would be stranded on the ship."
"We know, but it would be our choice, just as it was when the votes were cast. We were ready to venture into open space and take our chances out there, now we can do the same but while we are in orbit of ELYSIA. With only a handful of us, the energy generated by the bio-regenerative hull will be more than enough to sustain us while allowing us to keep an eye open for someone who might be able to help us. With all due respect captain, this is the best of both worlds. You are the rest of the crew get to start a new life while those who choose to stay will be able to watch over you while we hold on to our dreams of somehow returning home."
"It is a very interesting proposition, but I need to consider it first before I can offer you an answer."
"Of course Captain," Ashton agreed. "Do keep in mind this, those who remain behind will make it that much easier for the rest of you as we will not require to be transported to the surface and once there we will not be a burden on the resources available. Trust me, we have had two weeks to think this through and we have considered every possibility."
"I would definitively say that this puts you at a sever advantage over me, but it does sound like this is not a easily reached decision."
"It was not Captain, but we are ready to stay and live the rest of our lives here on board the BASTET. There might even be a few more who will want to stay behind. To us, this is the better decision just as it was yours to head to the planet to start a new life. This ship is our home, and it is where we want to stay, no matter how the story ends." Selene could see the emotions swelling in the man standing in front of her. She understood his situation as well as his solution. As long as he remained on the ship, there would be a chance, however small, that he would be able to return home and be reunited with his children.
"Very well Ensign," the Captain said extended her hand out for him to take. "The ship is yours. We will do our best to stay in communication and who knows, maybe one day it will be you coming down to our rescue."
---
Setting: USS BASTET, Bridge
Stardate: 34018.1120
Captain Iverson and Ensign Dean stepped out of the Ready Room instantly drawing the attention of Commander Valentine. "Everything all right Captain?"
"I would dare to say better," Selene said glancing over at Ashton. "It looks like our problem with there being too many people to ferry down has been resolved as well as who between us two will be coordinating efforts on the surface. Let me know when the first group is ready to leave, I will be piloting the runabout down and start planning the layout of our new home. Ensign Dean will be staying behind on the BASTET with other volunteers to man the ship after we are gone."
Sarena was surprised at this sudden turn of event but she accepted it without hesitation. The solution was simple, effective and would benefit everyone in some way. "I admire your convictions Ensign," Valentine said to Dean.
"Sometimes, holding on to an impossible dream is more important than reluctantly working on an unwanted reality. This ship is our home and where our dreams have the best possible chance of coming true.
---
Setting: ELYSIA, Open clearing
Stardate: 34018.1645
Selene filled her lungs with the fresh aroma that filled the air. She could hear the rustling of the nearby river and the warmth of the sun on her face made her close her eyes for a few seconds in order to take the moment in. When she felt a shadow pass over her, the Captain quickly reopened her eyes and saw what appeared to be a whale-like creature flying overhead.
"For a moment I had almost forgotten that this is a planet in another dimension," Iverson said chuckling. "I wonder how many more surprises this place will have in store for us?" With that said the Captain returned to the others and began working on the layout of what would become their settlement, their new home.
---
Jessica Solarik
Captain Selene Fiona Iverson [Access Character BIO for Selene Iverson]
Commanding Officer
USS BASTET
&
Lieutenant Commander Maya [Access Character BIO for Maya]
Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS
"To see the world in a grain of sand,
and a heaven in a wild flower.
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
and eternity in an hour."
- William Blake (British, 1757-1827)
=-=
"Imperfect Perfection"
[the previous post was (ANU) "Other Duties As Assignedl" / (BAS) "Feels Like Home"]
=-=
Setting: ELYSIA, By the mountain lake
Stardate: 34018.1900
Gemma was one of the first to volunteer. The BASTET was a ship, a place of work, but that was the extent of it. Unlike many others, the ILO had no personal or emotional attachment to it. Once her work in engineering was completed, she jumped on the first available transport. Sitting around, doing nothing but waiting for the inevitable had never been, nor would ever be, her way. She needed to be busy, and helping with setting up the settlement was the most involved task she could think of.
Rules of wilderness survival dictated that a fresh source of water needed to be secured. The river next to the open clearing did just that. At first glance, Mitshiba had chosen the location of their settlement well. Everything seemed perfect. The water was as clear and pure as could be. Every single people could be easily seen through the water, almost as if the liquid had not been there at all. Tricorder readings showed the water to be free of any harmful substance or anything that might taint its flavor. A quick taste test confirmed this, not to mention satiating the woman's thirst. So far, things were looking good.
With an ample source of fresh water secured for the settlement, Gemma decided to follow the river upstream. For all they knew, there could be dangerous beasts lurking nearby. A quick sensor sweep had revealed nothing but the ILO knew how easily those could be fooled. Looking up at the massive whale-like creatures floating overhead, it was evident that the planet possessed some impressive forms of animal life. Therefore, it was prudent to investigate in order to have a better idea of what they were dealing with.
The closer she got to her destination, the louder the sound of rumbling water became. The sound was not at all scary; it was actually pleasant, which of course only raised the ILO's concerns. Nothing good happened without a hefty price being paid before, after, or usually both.
As she reached the lake, Gemma's gaze traveled up the impressive waterfall. A faint mist engulfed the entire area making it appear as if it were some kind of dream or illusion. Flowers of dizzying colors lined the shore of the lake; at least she believed them to be flowers. Their shape was closer to mushrooms, but the pedals and leafs protruding from the stems hinted otherwise. Whatever they were, the woman had to admit, although reluctantly, that they did look very nice.
"This place is as it was described to us. Perfection," Lireen said. The Edo woman from RUBICAN III was an explorer at heart, this planet was a dream come true. "To believe that some have decided to remain on board the BASTET is unimaginable. A single look at this world should be enough to make anyone want to stay here, forever. I know I do. What wonders does this world have to offer? I truly cannot wait to find out."
"You are a fool," the Russian Spy and Assassin said. "Beauty and peace such as these are meant to be nothing more than a trap. A way to lure those foolish enough to forget about the universe we live in. Since the dawn of time, the rule has always been to kill or be killed. Dropping our guard will only lead us to all die a horrible death."
"You need to relax," the Uxali said with a sigh. "This is the opportunity of a lifetime. We cannot learn about this world if we find a rock to go crawling under. Lireen is right, we need to explore and find out more about this place.
The Tarellian spoke next. "I agree, but we should still proceed with caution. This is a completely unknown world with the potential for unimaginable discoveries. We could find things that would make our dreams a reality or our nightmares last for all eternity. We cannot allow our fears to force us to stay put. Neither can we allow our curiosity to drive us blindly forward."
"We have been given a chance to create a new life for ourselves, the Oltharian said. "We cannot ignore it. Life is precious, and we must embrace it, accepting all of the rewards and dangers that come with it."
"Small steps," the Risian suggested. "There is a small cave over there. Let's investigate it and see what we find. This is the goal of us being here, no?"
Gemma sighed and took in a long, deep breath. Yes, many would find this place a paradise, a dream come true, but not her. This world made her uncomfortable and uneasy. Life had taught her that everything came at a price. Sooner or later the evils of this planet would reveal themselves, but by then it would be too late. For the time being, all that the ILO could do was to move forward, hoping that she would not find what she was searching for.
=-=
Setting: ELYSIA, Small cave
Stardate: 34018.1920
Of all the nightmarish horrors Gemma was expecting to find, none were found. Part of her was relieved about this, but a part of her was convinced that this would not last. A paradise such as this could not exist. Every rose has its thorns as the song warned.
As she pushed a little deeper, the ILO realized that the cave did not grow darker. In fact, things appeared much brighter than they should have been. A quick visual scan of her surroundings revealed the cause of this. Cautiously, she reached for the nearest crystal and pried it out of the wall using her gloved hand. Once in the palm of her hand, she studied it as much as she could. The mechanics were easy enough to understand, but she was convinced that there was more.
The bioluminescent crystal had to be more than is appeared. Maybe it was just another trap to lure creatures in the cave. If so, how would the trap close? Maybe is was some sort of residual matter left behind from whatever beast dwelled in the cave. If so, how long would it be before it made itself known?
"There is no visible biological substance on the crystal," the Uxali scientist said. "There does not appear to be any kind of poison or noxious matter on it. The light does appear to be biochemically generated, although I am not sure of the exact process. We should bring that sample back to the settlement."
The Edo explorer was outraged, in as much as she could be. "Why leave now? This is an amazing discovery. We should push on further and see what we find."
"NO!" Gemma could feel herself losing control, not that she understood of what. The danger was real and she could not allow the others to take more risks than they already had. "We have to go back and report this to the Captain. She can decide what we will do next." Before anyone offered some kind of argument, the ILO had already rushed out of the cave. Her speed and agility were impressive, allowing her to return to the settlement in no time.
=-=
Setting: ELYSIA, Settlement
Stardate: 34018.1925
Leaping over one of the crates parachuted down from the BASTET, Gemma nearly landed on top of the Captain.
"Gemma! Is everything alright?"
The ILO quickly looked over her shoulder expecting something to have been following her. Instead, she saw nothing but the trail she left through the tall grass. "Sorry Captain," Gemma said, regaining her composure almost instantly. "I thought you would want to know about this right away." She opened her hand to reveal the small glowing crystal.
The Captain smiled and leaned in to have a better look. "What is this?"
"It appears to be some sort of bioluminescent crystal. I found a cave full of them near the lake that feeds the nearby river."
"This is great news. If we could use these to illuminate the camp at night, we would be able to conserve energy for more important things. Well done Gemma, I think you have found a wonderful treasure. At this rate, maybe the tress themselves will lend a hand to help us build the settlement."
The ILO knew that the Captain was kidding. That did not stop Gemma from glaring at the nearby trees, or what passed to be tress on this planet. She half expected those things to start moving and proving her right. Seconds passed and nothing happened to both her dismay and relief. There was still so much they did not know about this world. What wonders still waited to be discovered? What horrors waited to be released? One thing was certain; the woman would not be sleeping tonight. At least watching over the others would keep her busy, as she had wanted to be.
=-=
Rachel Jackie Johnson
[The fun is getting to wear multiple disguises and getting to explore multiple personalities and bring them to life. - Jenna Fischer]
---
"From Captain to Administrator"
(Previous Post: (ANU) "A Prison Without Walls" / (BAS) "Imperfect Perfection")
---
Setting: ELYSIA, Settlement
Stardate: 34060.0715
Selene stepped into the fresh morning air as the sun rose over the lines of tress welcoming them on this 42nd day on ELYSIA. So far, things had gone well, actually, better than could have been hoped. The creation of the setlemen proceeded without any problems, all of the parachuted crates were found and brought back here, an ample supply of fresh water was nearby and better still, they had found a field full of berry producing bushes that nicely supplemented their regular diet of replicated food. As much as Iverson might have wanted to complain about something, she could not off the bat come up with something.
"Good morning Captain," Misaki said, the Chief Science Officer heading out once again on her daily survey of their new home.
"Good morning," Selene greeted back, finding it more and more difficult for her to accept being referred to as 'Captain'. Yes, she still held the title and the majority of the responsibilities, but since their arrival on this world, her role had changed quite a bit. Giving orders to ensure that all went well no long fit what was required of her now. "Where are you off to today? Are you heading to the hill cliffs to the East or the forest to the South?"
"The view from the hill cliffs is quite remarkable, could spend the rest of my life there and never move," Misaki happily noted as if considering making a change to her plans. "Not today though, I am heading to the forest and see if I can discover a few more native animal species as well as maybe something new to add to our menu."
"Are we running out of those berries and fruits?" Iverson knew that this could not have been the case; the field was large enough to supply the settlement for years to come, as long as they took care of it and not exploit it beyond its ability to supply them with fresh and delicious delicacies.
"Not at all," the Asian woman said with a smile. "Some of the cooks have asked if i could try to find them some herbs to add some flavour to their dishes, so I thought why stop there."
"Good luck on your hunt for something new," Selene said waving the woman and her team farewell. As she watches them leave the settlement, the gaze of the Captain drifted upward as it did every morning. At first it was for no other reason than to remind herself of what they had all left behind, namely their ship and fellow shipmates who elected to remain onboard. Every couple of days they would get a signal from them, just to reassure everyone that all was well, but with each passing day the Captain found herself looking at the sky more to see one of those flying whales instead of to linger in the sorrows of her memories.
"God morning Captain," Commander Valentine said in an overly serious tone. "We might have a problem."
Iverson closed her eyes for a brief moment and nodded her head. It was nice while it lasted, and to be perfectly truthful, things had been good for maybe a little too long. "What happened?"
"We have a problem with the wind turbines that we managed to set up on the mountain side to the North-West," Sarena vaguely replied, as if she was not sure how to break the news to her Commanding Officer. Those turbines, along with the solar panels that were placed near them were providing the settlement with the majority of their power, doing so without damaging the environment in anyway.
"How much power do we have stored in the back-up battery packs we brought down?" Selene asked, immediately jumping into 'fix-it' mode.
"They are also part of the problem," the First Officer said but unable to maintain the expression of utter seriousness that was on her face. "Remember the gushes of wind we heard yesterday and through the night?" Selene nodded her head no longer certain as to what to expect. "The turbines were working overtime and the battery back-ups are at full charge. We are actually producing more energy than we are currently consuming. We could actually increase the replicator ratio without having the slightest impact on our energy reserves."
Selene smiled. She had never expected to hear those words, especially not after the excruciatingly long two-week journey that brought them here. "Very well, pass on the word to the others. It would seem that we are going to have a great breakfast today."
"I will pass on the good news to the others," the First Officer said, almost jumping to it.
"Sarena, do you know where Gemma is?"
"She is where she always is at this time," Valentine relied before continuing on her given quest to spread the good news through the settlement.
Iverson shook her head and smiled. She could have easily enough guessed the answer but she felt it wiser to ask, if not to confirm what she knew, the query would serve to inform someone as to where the captain was heading to next.
---
Setting: ELYSIA, Cliff Hillsides to the East
Stardate: 34060.0830
Misaki was absolutely right; the view from this location was breathtaking, so it was no surprise that the multi-facetted Intelligence Liaison Officer had selected this location for her early morning routine.
"Good morning," the bald woman sitting cross-legged near the edge of the cliffs said, never having looked back to see the approach of the Captain. "It would seem that the spirits of this world have granted us another beautiful day."
"It would seem so," Selene agreed, no longer surprised by the unique skills and abilities of the different personalities of the woman they all knew as Gemma. "I can to see if you were all right?"
"Your concerns for me are quite touching, but also quite unnecessary. I am doing quite well, how could I not be while being here, in this paradise?"
Iverson growled in silence. Ema Fairchild, the Oltharian Priestess was doing fine, as she had been since pretty much their arrival. The woman had found a way to connect with this world like no one else could have, unfortunately the woman currently sitting on the edge of the cliffs was not the one the Captain was concerned for. "Have you seen Gemma?"
"She is somewhere, hiding. This place is not for her. It is too peaceful, too relaxing. Even nature itself is helping us as I am sure you have already been informed by Commander Valentine. This planet is more than a chunk of rock floating in the vacuum of space; it is a living entity that has welcomed us and is doing everything it can to help us live our lives to the best of our abilities. Here, we have a life without war, without conflict, without the daily struggles of survival that we accepted as normal in our previous lives. This paradise for us is nothing short of an unimaginable hell for Gemma, so please; do not begrudge her doing what she is doing now, which is to stay as far away as she can."
"I am by no means begrudging her; in fact, I would like to help her in whatever way I can." For the first time today Selene heard herself sound more like the woman she once was, the Captain of a Starship concerned for the well-being of a member of her crew instead of a settlement administrator enjoying a life of simplicity.
"Many have tried, all have failed," Ema pointed out. "Counsellor Dima tried to make her see that this place was not as bad as she saw it to be. Doctor Andersson tried to offer her some natural mixture to help calm the storm in her mind and heart. Both felt but a slight fraction of the rage Gemma hold within her, do you truly wish to confront her and risk unleashing the full fury of her shattered soul?"
There were days when Gemma, or whatever personality was on the surface at the time, appeared to have an uncanny understanding of herself, but alas it never was enough to actually help the person as a whole deal with the demons of her countless identities. "If you see her, please let her know that I am here for her, we all are."
"I will relay your message Captain," the Priestess said. "Now if you will excuse me, I have a mediation to return to."
Selene accepted the statement for what it was, a way for one personality to resume what she was doing while giving another the excuse she needed to avoid having to face their new reality, a reality that oddly enough seemed to surpass any dreams they could have imagined. As the Captain was walking away, she suddenly felt the urge to look back, and when she did she saw one of those massive flying whale hovering right in front of Ema, as if the two of them were in some sort of telepathic communication. Maybe the description given by the Oltharian Priestess about the nature of this world was not as much a flight of fancy as she might have initially believed it to be.
---
Setting: ELYSIA, Settlement
Stardate: 34060.0950
The moment Selene returned she was greeted by a frantic Counsellor and Doctor.
"Captain, are you all right? Are you injured? Did she lash out? Did she trike you?"
The questions came so fast that Iverson could not tell who was asking what, but it was clear to see that both had heard about where she had gone to and whom she had seen.
"Thank you, both of you, but as you can see, I am fine. All I did was to speak to Ema, nothing more."
Both Nicola and Sofia let out a joined sigh of relief after hearing this. "Ema is nice enough to speak to," the Trill said. "Gemma on the other hand is someone that I believe is best to be avoided.
"We cannot ignore her, she is a member of this crew, one that we all owe our lives to," Selene pointed out.
"I will be more than happy to thank Ema or any of the others that might show themselves, but if it is all the same to you, I will stay as far away from Gemma as possible. It took me nearly three weeks for my broken arm to heal."
As much as Iverson wanted to say more, she knew that the Counsellor and Doctor were both right, but that did not change the fact that the Gemma personality was finding this paradise to be much less than everyone else did. "We will have to address this issue, but at a later time, right now, I am in the mood for a good breakfast.
---
Jessica Solarik
Captain Selene Fiona Iverson [Access Character BIO for Selene Iverson]
Commanding Officer
USS BASTET
&
Lieutenant Commander Maya [Access Character BIO for Maya]
Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS
"To see the world in a grain of sand,
and a heaven in a wild flower.
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
and eternity in an hour."
- William Blake (British, 1757-1827)
"Living Planet"
Previous posts: (ANU) "Broken Melody" & (BAS) "From Captain to Administrator"
---
Setting: ELYSIA, Open Field
Stardate: 34060.1630
This planet was a scientist's dream come true. There was something new and never before seen to be discovered around every rock, over every hill. All the Asian woman had to do was to sit still for a moment and look around for her to discover something she had not seen before and this even after having been on this world for over a month. This meant that she had hours of research and report writing to do every night, but Aki was not complaining. This is what she wanted to do from the first day she joined the Academy.
Today, the CSciO wnt to the forest and catalogues several new species of insects, birds and tree-dwelling creatures that appeared to be an odd cross between a snake and a squirrel. Whatever it was, it was scientifically fascinating and as a bonus it actually looked cute, in an alien creepy way. From there, Aki found her way into an open field where she discovered a new type of flowers, at least that was what she believed them to be at first until she tried to test the texture of the brightly colored pedals. What Aki had actually discovered were butterflies, or at least that was the closest things she could compare them to.
The creatures had four somewhat circular wings, which when at rest, appeared as pedals, but when in flight, these wings fluttered with such speed that they could barely be seen. The next hour after making this latest discovery was spent simply looking at the enchanting dance of these Elysian Butterflies, which were just another breathtaking aspect of this paradise planet.
With the lunch and snacks she brought along long gone and her stomach reminding her that nourishment was a required evil of her own existence, Aki decided to begin the journey back to the settlement. It was unlikely that anyone there would be concerned for her extended absence as the CSciO had developed a habit of not returning at a set hour. The Asian woman felt absolutely no concerns that the journey back would take her through the thick forest once again. All of her earlier surveys had not reveal there to be anything dangerous hiding either on the ground or in the branches overhead.
As Aki made her way into the forest though, a strange feeling creeped into her mind; not fear, not concern, but rather puzzlement. Something was not quite as she remembered it to be but the CSciO was unable to clearly pinpoint what this something was until she saw a particular tree standing directly in her path. To most, a tree would be just that, nothing more than a tree, but to her that particular plant was something special due to its unique appearance, not to mention that it had been initially noticed directly on top of a large boulder. Now the same tress stood several meters away from that boulder, another landmark that she easily recognized.
Puzzled by this unexpected discovery, Aki carefully scrutinized her surroundings, comparing everything she saw to everything she could remember from her previous trip through the forest. As specific memories as to the locations and positioning of the environment, the CSciO quickly worked to confirm her hypothesis, no matter how impossible if might have been.
As the legendary quote said, 'Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth.'
---
Setting: ELYSIA, Settlement
Stardate: 34060.1800
Aki rushed into the settlement and went straight for the common eating area where the CSciO suspected her odds would be at their best to find the Captain at this time of the day.
"CAPTAIN IVERSON!" If the sight of the running Asian woman was not enough to draw the attention of others, the mad screaming would certain achieve that. "CAPTAIN IVERSON!"
"What is it?" The Captain asked, holding onto the shoulders of the agitated woman. "What happened? Are you alright? Are you hurt?"
"I am fine," Aki quickly said. "I made an incredible discovery, this planet is alive." Countless sets of eyes rolled as people returned to their supper leaving the Captain to deal with the frantic scientist. "You don't understand, I don't mean that this planet has life on it, I mean that this planet *is* alive. We have all felt it since our arrival here, some sort of energy that permeates everything, from the clouds over our heads to the ground beneath our feet. Nature itself seems to be helping us every time we face a problem."
"What did you find for you to reach this conclusion?" Commander Valentine asked, the First officer not in the least bit appearing convinced by the scientist's claim.
"The trees in the forest, they move."
"You mean they sway because of the wind?" The Captain asked, hoping that this was not what the Asian woman actually meant because if it was, she would need to spend some one-on-one time with Nicole.
"No," Aki quickly dismissed. "I mean that the trees are able to move from one spot in the forest to another. Every scan that we have managed to get shows them to be very close to tress back on EARTH, but those on this planet are actually capable of independent movement.
"That does not make this planet to be a living entity," Valentine pointed out.
"Maybe not, but it sure makes it impossible for us to dismiss everything we have experienced as being nothing more than simple good fortune. At the very least, we need to look into this a little closer."
///^\\\
Dawn Bohr
Lieutenant Misaki 'Aki' Mitshiba [Access Character BIO for Misaki Mitshiba]
Chief Science Officer
USS BASTET - NCC 74977
=-=
"Another Day"
[the previous post was (ANU) "Trying to Help, Part 2" / (BAS) "Living Planet"]
=-=
Setting: ELYSIA, Edge of the cliff
Stardate: 34062.0615
The sun rose over the watery horizon greeted by Ema who sat cross-legged at the edge of the cliff. There was something truly peaceful about this time of the day, not that there were any times on this world where this was not the case. The Oltharian Priestess just enjoyed being here and gaze upon the day's new light. As it had become the norm, one of the flying whales came by and greeted her as only the creature could. The vibrations from the low moans of the creature went right through her, but the sensation was far from unpleasant. Actually, it made the woman feel that much more connected with the world around her.
"You do know that Captain Iverson needs help, right?" The Uxali scientist now sat at the edge of the cliff, her gaze locked on the massive creature floating in front of her. "Misaki found something that has everyone buzzing, and instead of lending a hand, you just sit here. They need everyone on this, and that includes you."
"We both know what she found," Ema calmly said. "They were all too busy with their respective tasks so they failed to see what was right in front of them. This world is alive, with a consciousness of its own. Maybe this is something unique to ELYSIA, or maybe this is the standard for this dimension. Either way, the discovery made is nothing new, at least not to me."
"That doesn't mean the Captain and the others could not use our help. In fact, if you understand this world so well, she needs you more than ever." Wimda was trying everything she could to convince Ema to finally leave this place, even if only for a little while.
"There is nothing I can tell them that they will not discover on their own. If this world had wanted us gone, we would not be here. Instead, it has welcomed us with open arms. I am simply showing my gratitude by trying to become a more integral part of it." The Oltharian smiled as a leaf-made basket holding a variety of fruits was carried over by the tall grass and deposited right next to her. "You are the scientist here Wimda. Tell me, how do I explain this to the Captain and the others? Do you think they will believe me or think that I am crazy?"
It was Dayna Smith who appeared next. The rebellious teen from ZETA DRACONIS did not seem amused or impressed. "Ema, you are an Oltharian Priestess. That is more than enough for anyone to believe you are crazy. You want to believe that this planet is alive, that is your prerogative. You want to stay here and become one with it, that's all nice, but the rest of us have had enough. Frankly, I can't stomach any more of those fruits, they taste like dirt."
"It is the taste of this world." Ema's retaliation was calm and peaceful. Nothing anyone could say would be able to change how she felt about this place. Furthermore, it could not change the way this place made her feel.
"Alright, let me try this." It was Wimda's turn to try and convince the Oltharian. Whatever power this world has over her, it made her more stubborn than anyone could have ever imagined the Priestess to be. "You keep saying that this world is alive. You also claim that you cherish life above all else. Then why stay here in this one spot? If the whole planet is indeed a living entity as you claim it is, should you not want to experience it all? Look at one of the fruits it provides us with every day. Focus on a single edge and imagine that we are there. We are experiencing but a small fraction of this world's life. Are you truly satisfied with that? Would it not be more appropriate for you to seek out a more complete understanding of what this world is? If Captain Iverson and the others benefit from this exploration, that would be a bonus. Who knows, it might even allow them to understand this world as much as you."
"Very well," the Oltharian said. "Maybe you are right. Maybe I have been selfish in my wanting to stay here. Let us go back to the settlement and see what we can do to help the Captain and the others. They need to understand this gift we have been given and not fear it."
"That has to be the most sensible thing you have said in weeks," the Uxali woman said.
"I don't care who understands what," Dayna said. "I will just be glad to be anywhere else but here. If I see another sunrise or flying whale it will be too soon.
=-=
Setting: ELYSIA, Settlement
Stardate: 34062.0830
"Captain Iverson!"
The woman quickly turned and gaze a look of mixed feelings upon seeing who it was. "Wimdalli, we are glad to see you. What brings you here?"
"I heard that Misaki found something quite remarkable. I am here to assist. Ema, the Priestess, may have some unique insight into this world."
"Whatever the reason is, we are glad to see you here. May I ask you a question?"
The Uxali woman beamed a smile. As a scientist, she enjoyed answering people's questions, no matter the subject matter.
"Have you seen Lt. Gemma by any chance?"
Winda sighed. Maybe there was one subject she would have preferred not to have been asked about. "I am sorry Captain; she has not been around for quite some time. I have no idea when she will return, if at all."
"Thank you. No matter, we are very glad to have you here. I am sure that Lt. Mitshiba will be most happy to get your help and input. We have a great many questions about this planet, and we seem to be uncovering more every day."
"I will do everything that I can to help, Captain. I am sorry for having been away for so long."
"You are here now, that is all that matters."
=-=
Rachel Jackie Johnson
[The fun is getting to wear multiple disguises and getting to explore multiple personalities and bring them to life. - Jenna Fischer]
=-=
"Much Ado About Nothing"
[the previous post was (ANU) "Professional Distraction" by Rachel / (BAS) "Another Day" by Rachel]
=-=
Setting: ELYSIA, Open clearing
Stardate: 34062.0845
"Do you truly believe this to be a wise course of action?" Nic argued as she was being pulled forward by her hand tightly held in the grasp of the blonde-haired physician. "Captain Iverson and the others are trying to get to the bottom of the claims made by Misaki. Should we not help?"
"We are," Sofia fired back not softening her hold on the woman's hand. Truth be told, if the Trill had truly wanted to set herself free, she could have done so with little effort, but she did not, offering but a mild resistance to her being led by the hand to a destination that only the Doctor knew. "For starters, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and that is where we are heading to do. We will also be conducting our own independent and in-depth research into Misaki's claims. Call it a control test to confirm that what she saw is real and not some sort of psychosomatic hallucination. We have to be honest about this planet and what we have seen so far. Flowers that turn into butterflies, crystals that glow as if they were powered by some sort of powerful external energy, whales that float through the air like birds, rodents that dug the soil to help us plant the seeds we brought from the ship. This place is already a dream, so it is very possible that she imagined something even stranger just so that she could set the bar for the rest."
"Do me a favor Sofia," the joint Trill half groaned. "Leave the psychological analysis to the professionals, namely me. The odds are far better that Misaki did see something, be it what she claims or something different, but given everything that we have experienced here on ELYSIA, I would not dismiss the possibility that trees are capable to moving about. It would actually be not as strange as some of the other things we have seen."
"I agree with you," Sofia said. "I just think it is more interesting to think Misaki is losing her marbles, even if only for a few seconds. You have to admit that things have been very quiet for us. Medically speaking, I have dealt with superficial cuts and bruises on a less than regular basis, and that's for the entire crew. You have not had an official 'counseling session' in weeks as everyone here seems to have perfectly acclimated to this world. We are both in need of some action, and maybe this will help us."
"This? This what?" Nicole asked as they arrived in the middle of a small open clearing."
"This!" Sofia said pointing to a picnic basket set atop of a blanket. "We can observe the nearby trees, the flowers, and even those flying whales from here without any difficulties all while enjoying a quiet breakfast and each other's company. If this is not paradise, I don't know what is."
"You are certifiably nuts, and it would seem that I am that as well because I do enjoy being anywhere with you."
Sofia smiled as she sat down on the blanket and invited her guest to sit by gently tapping the vacant area next to her. "Come, join me, Can you think of a better way for us to start our day?"
"I have a pretty vivid imagination, but you are right, I can't think of any reason why I should offer any sort of protest to you or your invitation at this specific moment."
"Good," the physician said. "I love you with so much of my heart that none is left to protest," Sofia added in as thick a British accent as she could muster.
"What has gotten into you?" Nic laughed. This world offered surprises after another, but this was proving to be well beyond anything that might have been expected.
"Let me be that I am and seek not to alter me," the blonde woman said in the same accent.
"Alright, what is going on?" Dima was serious now. She had come to know Sofia rather well and this was not like her. As much as the physician enjoyed being frivolous from time to time, this had gone well beyond those limits.
"I was bored and asked to borrow a book, and I mean an actual bound and printed book, from one of my nurses. For some reason, she handed me something titled 'Much Ado About Nothing' from William Shakespeare. Apparently, he was quite the well-known writer in his days back on EARTH some 3000 years go. I had to get a little bit of help in understanding some of the speech patterns and it was made clear to me that the accent was a must when speaking the words aloud."
"That makes a little more sense now," Nic said relieved, Sofia had not gone completely crazy or fallen under the influence of some strange alien force.
"I did not mean to worry you," Andersson said, gently caressing the other woman's cheek. "I just wanted to do something fun, something unexpected, and something spontaneous that would make us both smile and laugh. I just wanted to do something special for you because for me, as wonderful as this world may be, it cannot be compared to you and how you make me feel."
"Shakespeare again?"
"No, that one is a pure original from me."
"Let's have some breakfast," Nicole said trying her best to mimic the accent Sofia had used. "I believe that the lack of sustenance is affecting your ability to think."
"It is not the lack of food that is responsible for that my lady, it is your presence that so hinders my thoughts, and how I do enjoy the feeling of my light-headedness."
Sitting together on the blanket, the two women burst out laughing. The mystery that was this world was not something they needed to fear, in fact, it was something that simply seemed to make everything that much better.
=-=
Tiffany Reeve
Commander Shar'El [Access Character BIO for Shar'El]
Executive Officer / Intel Liaison Officer
USS ANUBIS
“Synergy”
[Previous Posts: (ANU) “Diplomatic Immunity” / (BAS) "Much Ado About Nothing"]
=/\=
"I would not wish any companion in the world but you."
-Shakespeare's 'The Tempest', Act 3, Scene 1
=/\=
Setting: ELYSIA, Settlement
Stardate: 34062.1400
Nicole hummed, cheerfully but badly, as she carefully carried the picnic basket from this morning under her arm. She had appropriated it after the sumptuous breakfast that Sofia had invited her to, with the intention of returning the favor with their very next meal.
The days on ELYSIA were sun-drenched, peaceful, and filled with new discoveries. Even though Nic wasn’t doing a lot of counseling, her time was fully occupied with tending a vegetable garden, doing a little exploring, and using the loom she had parachuted down from the ship. There was an abundant reedy plant near the water that was a cross between flax and bamboo, and its fibers had enough tensile strength to create a soft, muslin-like fabric. Dima’s sewing skills weren’t as good as her weaving, but she hoped to create clothing soon. There seemed to be nothing that this world couldn't provide.
The brunette smiled, tapping on the edge of the open entry door to the settlement’s version of Sickbay. “Surprise.”
Sofia grinned in return. “What brings you here? I don’t see any signs of injury.”
“I feel fine. But I thought *you* might be hungry. I know I am. So I took the liberty of packing us lunch.”
The Doctor took the basket and placed it on a narrow table that had been cobbled together from spare items scavenged from the ship. A footlocker used for stowing supplies became a bench seat. “This sounds- and looks- vaguely familiar.”
“I stole your idea,” Nic admitted playfully. “Turnabout is fair play.”
They kissed. “And just what did you bring?”
“There’s only one way to find out.”
=/\=
Time Index: 20 minutes later
Nicole had fashioned a salad nicoise of sorts with local vegetables and fish; she only had to replicate the hard-boiled eggs and briny olives. Although, she wouldn’t be surprised if Aki discovered Elysian chickens one day soon. The berry tart she’d whipped up for dessert had taken more of the solar energy they had harnessed to fabricate the flaky crust and custard filling. It was a decadent showcase for the plentiful fruit.
“This is amazing,” Sofia commented.
“It would have been more so with an unobstructed view of nature, but I wanted to make sure we were at our posts should anything happen.”
The physician reached over and brushed a strand of dark hair out of Nicole’s eyes. “The view is lovely.”
The Counselor’s face flushed. “And just for the record, I don’t think you’re crazy.”
“I know…” Sofia answered a little smugly. “I figured you would have run away otherwise.”
The two women laughed.
Nicole chased a cherry tomato around her plate with a fork. “I'll tell you something else- I don't think Lieutenant Mitshiba is crazy either.”
“I believe she believes the planet is alive,” Sofia reasoned. “And I trust her knowledge and training, without question.”
“But it would be nice to get some proof, wouldn’t it?”
Sofia smiled again. “It’s like you’re reading my mind.”
Dima cut two perfect triangles of tart and plated them. “That’s sort of what it feels like ELYSIA is doing. It has a consciousness that is anticipating and meeting our needs. Or at least, that’s the theory.”
“The natural resources of this world are especially useful, but they appear to be too random to be accounted for by a living force.”
“Of course they are random- we’ve all been wanting different things. I wanted a way to use the loom I decided to bring down to the planet. Someone else wanted berries. Aki wanted to have a place to explore, research, and catalog.”
“The planet scanned as an ideal place to live even though we were still 2 weeks away at low power. Are you saying it could sense us and mold to our desires from that far away?”
“I’m not sure what I’m saying. But, what if we all ‘asked’ for the same thing, as a community? Something that was highly unlikely to occur? And it happened? Would that be proof enough?”
“I guess so.”
“There was something else that made me think Aki is correct. Lieutenant Gemma.”
“What do you mean? We’ve hardly seen her since we arrived.”
“Exactly. The Oltharian Priestess, Ema Fairchild, has been out and about the most lately, even more so than Wimda, a scientist in her own right, who I suspect would be enjoying the same activities our Science Officer has been . So, out of Gemma’s many personalities, it is the woman of the spiritual house that has found a deeper connection to this place. I don’t think that is a coincidence.”
“Are you suggesting that we start by talking to her?” Sofia asked, bringing over some warm tea to enjoy with dessert. Priestess or not, her alter ego Gemma had managed to break Nic’s arm weeks before. Since they weren’t exactly sure what triggered Gemma’s appearance, there was an element of risk.
“Eventually, we’ll have to. But I have no problem running this by Aki, Sarena, and the Captain first. We’ll need everyone in agreement in order to implement this.”
=/\=
Susan Ledbetter
Writing for
---
"Universal Karma"
(Previous Post: (ANU) "Diplomatic Immunity" / (BAS) "Synergy")
---
Setting: ELYSIA, Settlement
Stardate: 34062.1500
The senior officers were gathered, sitting together at the largest of the common tables set in the middle of the settlement. The idea was to foster a sense of community, of openness, but it soon became more, it was a way to enjoy the ever bountiful gifts this world had to offer. Selene took a moment and scanned those sitting, reminding her of a time not so long ago when they would meet like this in the Observation Lounge of the BASTET. That was another life, one that felt increasingly more distant with each passing day.
With the return of Gemma, the physical body if not the persona, making the command team complete once again, Captain Iverson was confident that they would be able to quickly get to the bottom of this 'living planet' mystery. Since their arrival on ELYSIA, wonders one after the other were discovered, each making their stay on this planet a little more comfortable. At first, Selene believed that maybe this was just the universe paying back some well overdue karma, but now it seemed that their good fortune might have had a different origin.
As the Commanding Officer of the USS BASTET, a vessel capable of traveling through time and dimensions, Captain Iverson knew that nothing was impossible. If the space between planets could be fluidic instead of a void in one dimension, and time could flow backward in another, certainly it was more than conceivable that in this dimension a planet could possess some sort of individual consciousness. This understanding did not stop Lieutenant Mitshiba from becoming rather agitated following her discovery of moving trees, but her reaction was born more out of excitement than fear. Following a quick discussion with the Doctor and Counsellor, the Captain decided to call for a senior staff meeting to discuss the details of their situation.
If ELYSIA were indeed a living world possessing some sort of consciousness, even on a level beyond their understanding, the planet had already proven its intents by helping and providing for its unexpected guests. Had it wanted to protect itself or worse push invaders away from its surface, Selene believed that it could have easily done so. The wind-powered generators would not have been given the means to provide more energy than the settlement needed, the nearby river would have likely run dry within only a few hours of its discovery and the survey teams would have most certainly not found so many different types of eatable vegetation. What Misaki found only served to confirm what many believed that this planet was in some way looking out for them in a manner that nothing else could.
"So we found our way onto a living planet?" Sarena said in amused disbelief. "Well, that would explain a great many things. I am all for saying that we were lucky, but I was starting to worry that our luck would run out sooner rather than later."
"If what Nicole and Sofia are proposing is true, luck has absolutely nothing to do with what we have been experiencing. The planet adapted to us long before we reached orbit," Selene pointed out. "That is if it was ELYSIA that somehow scanned us without our knowledge and not the universe itself."
"With all due respect," Misaki gasped. "I am already having enough trouble wrapping my head around the fact that this planet might have a consciousness. I am certainly not in any way ready to imagine that there is a consciousness that oversees this entire dimension."
"It is not that complicated to imagine when you think about it," the joint Trill offered. "Just look at most religions, they accept and even encourage the belief of a single consciousness overseeing the entire universe, looking down upon not just the whole but also the individuals. I will admit that in most cases, this belief system is limited to the inhabitants of that particular region or world and rarely extends to others, but there are some exceptions where the universe itself is perceived as a living entity."
"Can we focus on this planet and the lives of those on it for the time being?" Sofia pleaded. "We could spend the next couple of weeks debating this philosophical argument and not achieve anything. So, for the time being, let us just agree that this world is alive and possesses some sort of consciousness. The question we are left with is how does that change our situation?"
"The Doctor is right," Commander Valentine noted. "This knowledge does not change our situation in the least. As much as the planet may be helping us live better lives than we would have otherwise while being here, there does not appear to be any way for us to directly contact this consciousness."
"Even if we did speak to it, what would we say?" The Uxali scientist said, joining the discussion. Selene was confident that in this setting, Gemma or whichever personality did surface, would behave. "What kind of conversation would you have with an entire planet? That is also going on the assumption that we would be able to understand each other."
"She is right," Misaki added. "Right now, the planet is providing us with the most basic of needs, this based on what it has observed those needs to be from our actions. It scanned the BASTET are understood that we needed an oxygen atmosphere to breath. We showed interest in a source of clean water and that is what was provided. We sought refuge when it started to rain, and the settlement has not experienced any direct rainfall for weeks. We set up equipment that needed wind to operate, and winds are what we were given. It would be like us caring for a pet, we can deduce the needs without being able to communicate."
"Great," Sarena sighed. "So now not only are we on a living planet but it sees us as pets?"
"That is not what Misaki was saying," Selene stepped in to defend the statement made by the Chief Science Officer. "The point is well made, we have benefited from a great deal but being able to communicate with this consciousness may be an impossible task. That is why I believe that the idea suggested by Doctor Andersson and Counsellor Dima is a good one. The planet has been doing its best to accommodate as many needs as it was able to perceive, but what if we all 'asked' for the same thing?"
"What would you ask for?" The Oltharian Priestess demanded, not looking overly pleased with the proposed plan of action. "We already know that this world listens to us, cares for us, not as a master cares for a pet, but more as a parent does an infant. We were given all of the freedom we could have hoped for, able to venture and explore anywhere we want. If we were pets as suggested, would we not have been given insurmountable obstacles to keep us contained?"
"Like it or not, we are contained," Misaki pointed out. "We do not have the means to leave this planet, and that is going on the assumption that there are no other sets of barriers that we simply have not yet come across."
"I would caution us thinking that way as we would quickly look upon this world as a gilded cage instead of the life-saving world it was for us," Nicole warned. "This is part of the reason why we need to at the very least try to communicate with this consciousness to better understand why it is doing everything it has."
"Counselor Dima is right," Captain Iverson stated, making sure that the thoughts of the senior officers did not wander too far from their intended purpose. "If ELYSIA is indeed observing our actions or even scanning our thoughts, we need to focus on something that will help us establish a more direct line of communication."
"That might prove to be more difficult than we think," Sarena voiced. "What are we supposed to do, ask for a sign? Maybe we could ask for the planet to speak to us through some effigy that we would create?"
"The effigy might be a little of an overkill, but the rest is not all that farfetched," Misaki said looking at the Oltharian Priestess who was eagerly listening to the conversation.
"Since the dawn of sentient life, attempts to communicate with a higher power have been attempted with varying levels of success. There is no harm in trying the simplest methods especially considering that we already know that the entity we are trying to communicate with is benevolent."
"So what? You just want us to think about the planet getting in contact with us?" Sarena asked in a rather confrontational manner. As a Starfleet Officer and the First Officer of the BASTET, Commander Valentine was more than willing to contemplate a wide range of possibilities and course of actions, but this was sounding more like religious nonsense instead of a realistic and pragmatic approach.
"CAPTAIN! The communication instruments are picking up something weird. It may be a signal trying to come through." A crew member announced. To stay in contact with the BASTET, a comm system was brought down to the planet along with everything else that was parachuted down. So receiving a signal was not all that surprising although the timing was rather interesting.
"Well, that was easy," Sofia chuckled softly while looking at Nicole. "Maybe we should have asked for a more physical representation to appear, that way it would give us a better feel of what we are dealing with."
"It can't be that easy," Sarena groaned, the First Officer not ready to accept that this planet was monitoring their actions and thoughts so closely.
"Making things easy does appear to be the modus operandi of this world," Selene said as she took the communication device into her hand. "This is Captain Selene Iverson of the USS ANUBIS. My crew and I found ourselves trapped with no way to return home, so we came to this planet with the hopes of creating a new life for ourselves. We would like to communicate with you if that is at all possible?"
"Just for the record," the First Officer grumbled. "If the reply comes in the form of a booming voice or a burning bush, I am going to truly lose it."
Selene held back any reply or display not at all certain as to what to expect. This was truly unknown territory although it could be argued that this was no different than any other 'first contact' scenario, although in this case, they were trying to establish peaceful communication with a planet if not an entire universe.
"Ca... Capt... Captain..." Doctor Anderson nervously said tapping the Commanding Officer on the shoulder to draw her attention to a form shimmering into reality. The fact that the effect greatly resembled that of a standard Starfleet transporter system was not lost on the members of the senior staff who were not sure as to what to expect. If the planet did scan their thoughts, this could easily be the way it perceived to be best to make itself known to them.
When the materialization process was completed, a familiar man stood before them. "Samson?" Sarena said puzzled, not understanding why the planetary consciousness would have selected that particular appearance over any of the others it could have selected from the thoughts of those gathered.
"It is most pleasant to see you as well Commander Valentine and to see you again Captain Iverson. Although I will say that I am rather surprised, not only by the fact that you are here on this planet in this dimension but that you are personally here and appearing quite alive."
"That is a rather long story," Selene said thinking back to her time in the Lokustaar home dimension. "Please forgive the strangeness of my next question, but is it really you? Is the HAWKING in orbit?"
"Yes," Samson happily replied. "We were in the middle of a standard exploration of a dimension when our instruments detected a tremendous release of dimensional energy. We were able to trace the origin of this explosion and discovered the trail of the BASTET which led us here."
"The HAWKING is here?" Misaki gasped, this simple news changing everything.
"As I have just stated, yes. The HAWKING is currently in orbit and the crew is helping restore the BASTET to operational status. Of course, the only restriction is that the repairs match your current technological level, so I am sorry to say that no upgrades will be made to your ship."
"Just getting the BASTET operational is going to be a massive upgrade on its own," Sarena admitted sounding more pleased than she had been since their arrival on ELYSIA.
"According to our scans, the BASTET should be back to full operational mode within 5 days at which time you will be able to leave orbit and return to your home dimension," the android announced receiving a mixed response from those gathered. "Are you not happy to be returning home?" Samson asked.
"We are," Selene confirmed. "It is just that we were starting to get settled here as we were not expecting to ever be able to return home."
"I understand," the android nodded. "With your permission, I will return to the HAWKING and report back to my Captain. I am sure that I will be seeing you again soon," and with that said the avatar vanished in a transporter haze leaving the senior officers to ponder what had just happened.
"We are going home?" Misaki said, clearly finding herself torn by this unexpected turn of events.
"It would seem so," Nicole nodded as she looked at the gathered officers seeing a distinct mixture of happiness and sorrow. As much as being here on this planet had been something they had to do to survive, the crew had quickly enough learned to make the best of the situation going as far as to genuinely enjoy being here.
"I for one am very happy about this," Gemma said, the Intelligence Liaison officer of the BASTET making a return after having been absent since pretty much their arrival to this world.
---
Jessica Solarik
Captain Selene Fiona Iverson [Access Character BIO for Selene Iverson]
Commanding Officer
USS BASTET
&
Lieutenant Commander Maya [Access Character BIO for Maya]
Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS
"To see the world in a grain of sand,
and a heaven in a wild flower.
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
and eternity in an hour."
- William Blake (British, 1757-1827)
"Grateful Visitors"
Previous posts: (ANU) "Diplomatic Immunity" & (BAS) "Universal Karma"
---
Setting: ELYSIA, Mitshiba's Quarters
Stardate: 34062.1900
The planet was a scientist's dream of come something that Aki repeated several times since their arrival. The discovery of a potential consciousness inhabiting this world made this even more fascinating as it gave the Asian woman the chance to look into something that no one else had encountered before. Sadly, it seemed that she would never be able to get to the bottom of this once-in-a-lifetime mystery.
The arrival of the HAWKING was serendipitous as it set them free from their being trapped in this dimension, but would it have been so bad to spend the rest of their lives here, on ELYSIA?
The BASTET's transporters were amongst the first system to be restored allowing for the engineering staff to return to the ship in order to assist with the repairs. Most of the science staff, including Aki elected to remain on the planet for as long as possible using whatever excuse they could to justify their decision. Maybe in the last few days before they would be able to return home the CSciO would be able to figure out the extent of this consciousness that the planet possessed.
"How is the packing going?" Captain Iverson asked as she joined the Asian woman.
"Slowly," Aki replied knowing that Selene understood the reasons why. "We still have not figured out this consciousness thing and we may never do it now thanks to the HAWKING's arrival. Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled that they are here and helping us get back home, I just find myself wishing that maybe they could have waited a little longer before coming to our rescue."
"I understand how you feel," the Captain said. "I have been thinking about this quite a bit and concluded that this was what the planet wanted."
"How so?" Aki asked.
"Look at it this way. If the planet was able to scan our thoughts and needs from before our arrival, it knew of our wish to return home despite our inability to do so. It gave us a place to call our own while it did what it could to fulfil that need. This would mean that it never expected us to make a permanent home here and simply made our stay as comfortable as could be knowing that we would one day leave." The Captain paused and took one of the rock samples collected by Aki into her hands before continuing. "If the idea that this consciousness is not limited to this planet but is a manifestation of the entire universe of this dimension, then the presence of the HAWKING indicates that it respectfully does not want us to be here. I checked with Samson, them tracking our ship to this dimension should not have been possible, and yet they did it hinting that there was some external force at play."
"It is hard to believe that whatever this consciousness is does not want us here after everything that it did for us," the CSciO said.
"No matter what the reason was, it gave us a home for us to enjoy," Selene continued. "Maybe because it wanted to care for us, maybe because it did not want us to venture too far or maybe because it was afraid that we might injure or even destroy this place. Let's face it, the history of our world is no all that nice and if it was able to scan our thoughts, I would not be surprised that it did this out of fear of what we might do in retaliation."
"I never thought of it that way," Aki sighed.
"I would have loved to get to know this consciousness better, to understand how it thinks and operates, but we have to accept that our leaving is a better option, not only for us but for this world as well. We had no choice but to come here if we were to survive and somehow we were given another chance," Selene said placing the rock sample in the hands of the CSciO. "We experienced paradise in a way that no one could have imagined, now we have to be thankful and go back allowing this world, this dimension to resume the existence it was meant to have before our arrival. If it is conscious, then I would rather it remembered us as grateful visitors instead of destructive invaders."
"I guess that is why you are the Captain," the Asian woman said. "You have a wisdom that the rest of us lack."
"I would not claim to be wise, only a little more experienced," the Captain said smiling. "I too would have loved to stay, but in time we might have begun to ask too much from this world and forever changed it. It would have been a reality that I would have been forced to accept for the continued safety of my crew, but now that we are able to return home, I am happy to leave this paradise as we found it. Who knows, maybe it will be able to help others who will find themselves in the same predicament that we did.
"Do you ever grow tired of it?"
"Of what?" The Captain asked, not certain she was understanding the question.
"Of always putting the needs of others before your own? That even when this *other* is a non-physical consciousness that appears to dwell on this planet."
"Again, I hope that it will remember us as grateful visitors that one day may be permitted to return instead of an invader that is best to keep as far away as possible. Maybe my thoughts and motives are not as selfless as you believe them to be because I would love to come back here one day. Not because it is something someone else wants, but rather because it is something that *I* desire."
"Wise and human," Aki laughed. "I have no idea how you pull it off. All I can say is that I am glad that you are my Commanding Officer. I understand that life was never meant to be easy, that we will all suffer through countless hardships, but I also know that I feel better facing those hardships while serving under your command."
"Thank you," the Captain said. "I believe that must be one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me."
"It is said from the heart. I cannot imagine how heavy the burden of command must feel like at times, how you must just want to give up. I am grateful that you have not done so. Maybe that is part of the reason why this planet accepted us the way it did, it knew the kind of person who led us."
Selene smiled, something that she did all too rarely before leaving Aki to her packing, a task that she felt much more at ease with now following this little friendly chat.
///^\\\
Dawn Bohr
Lieutenant Misaki 'Aki' Mitshiba [Access Character BIO for Misaki Mitshiba]
Chief Science Officer
USS BASTET - NCC 74977
[/\] [/\] [/\] [/\] [/\]
"Going Home"
[previous post (ANU) "Diplomatic Immunity" / (BAS) "Grateful Visitors")]
Setting: USS BASTET, Bridge
Stardate: 34062.1900
There was no denying it, she was as happy as could be to be back on the BASTET. The world they had designated ELYSIA based on the name the ancient Romans used to refer to paradise; the Elysian Fields, might have appeared as its namesake in many ways but to the Executive Officer nothing about it felt divine. Circumstances forced the crew to choose between wandering the unknown dimension until they died or crawl to this planet in order to permanently settle there. Sarena was one of the ones who voted for the latter option but the decision was never as clear cut as it should have been.
Even if her vote was cast to support the option to take their chances in space, the majority of the crew had selected to come to this planet and Commander Valentine understood and even supported both sides of the debate. Had there been more time, she might have openly voiced her objections to the Captain but that was not possible at the time, so the Executive Officer did what her position and rank demanded of her; to support the Commanding Officer in this exceptionally difficult decision.
Now, they could focus on getting the BASTET back to full operational status and leave this planet and whatever consciousness resided therein as far behind as they could. She would not be one to miss that world or anything that it had to offer. Noticing the avatar of the HAWKING entering the bridge, the Executive Officer shifted her full attention on him. "Samson, I noticed that you are doing a direct power transfer to our engineering section. Would it be possible to have a secondary beam aimed at the bridge. Most of the power conduits between the lower decks and the command level were badly damaged and this is making it exceptionally difficult to monitor the repairs from up here."
"I will see what I can do for you Commander," Samson said before closing his eyes for only a few seconds before reopening them. "You should have power shortly." As he said this, the flickering consoles lit up to full intensity confirming power was now directed to the bridge as requested.
"Thank you. Would be nice to have someone like you on board this ship," Sarena said not thinking of any implications her words might have.
"According to our analysis of your technology, you are quite capable of creating a ship's avatar similar to me in both appearance and capabilities. The overall performance rating of this avatar would not be as high as mine, but he would most certainly be able to assist you as an extension of your ship's primary processing and interactive systems."
"I did not mean to insult you," Valentine quickly said, fearing that her comment had been misinterpreted by the avatar. "I was simply making an observation. The HAWKING is very lucky to have you onboard."
"Commander," Samson said looking directly at Sarena. "I am an artificial lifeform and as sophisticated as my systems might be, I am not burdened by actual emotions although I am quite capable of emulating them for the benefit of those around me. Therefore, I have no feelings for you to have injured by your comments, although, if it would make you better, I am capable of displaying the appropriate and expected reaction."
"That will not be necessary Samson," the Executive Officer said wishing that she had not said anything. "When do you foresee having our propulsion systems back online?"
"Impulse power is already operational but re-establishing warp drive capabilities will take longer as the majority of the coils of the warp nacelles will need to be replaced, not to mention the complete rebuilding of the matter/anti-matter reaction assembly. Life support, communications and transporters will be fully operational as long as the HAWKINGS continues to channel power to those systems."
"I can't express how grateful we are to you and your ship for getting us off that planet," Sarena said, sounding rather pleased by the avatar's report.
"According to our scans of the planet as well as the settlement you created, the world appeared to be perfectly suited for your needs, so why are you so happy in leaving? Was there a problem on the surface that we failed to detect?"
"No," the Executive Officer replied, "and that is part of the problem. All of our needs were taken care of, so much so that we had very little to do in order to survive. Our initial scans showed the planet to be a literal paradise and once we reach orbit, we confirmed those readings and much more. The planet was so perfect that some members of the crew started to believe that there was some sort of consciousness at play, watching over us and fulfilling our needs."
"According to your description, I would have expected the members of your crew to be more than happy there," Samson said. "A life without struggle is often the highest wish people make for themselves as well as others."
"You know the old adage; be careful what you wish for, you might just get it," Sarena said, smirking. "Life without struggle is meaningless. You get up every morning and go about your routine without overcoming any obstacles, without beating any challenges, without finding a way to better yourself through failures that have been turned into success after repeated tries. We named the planet ELYSIA because we believed it to be a paradise of sorts, but after a short while it because a hell that we could not escape from. You finding us the way you did might have saved our lives, and if not that at the very least you ended up saving our sanity."
"As I explained to your Captain earlier, we were quite surprised by our finding traces of your ship. On all accounts, we should not have been able to follow your trail through normal space, let alone to another dimension. many on board the HAWKINGS believe that there was some sort of external force at play although our instruments were unable to identify any such influence."
There was no way Sarena was going to give credit for their rescue to some unseen force, be it the consciousness spoken of by her own crew or some other galactic power out there residing between the stars. All the Executive Officer knew was that they would soon be heading home and that was all that mattered.
[/\] [/\] [/\] [/\] [/\]
Karen Price
Commander Sarena Valentine [Access Character BIO for Sarena Valentine]
Executive Officer
USS BASTET, NCC 74977
=-=
"We Lost Paradise But Found Something Better"
[the previous post was (ANU) "A One-Way Discussion" by Jayson / (BAS) "Going Home" by Karen]
=-=
Setting: ELYSIA, Open clearing
Stardate: 34063.0845
It was exactly 24 hours ago that Sofia and Nic were here about to enjoy a breakfast picnic. A day, not so long ago, when all of their troubles seemed to be several universes away. That was yesterday, and although she stood in the exact same location as she did then, everything appeared different. Nothing had changed, the tall grass was still gently swaying thanks to the soft cool breeze, the scent in the air was as sweet and delightful as it was, and the sun overhead was still being accompanied by a couple of flying whales. Everything appeared as it did before but the physician could not find any joy in what she saw. The dream was about to come to an end, that she liked it or not.
"I thought I would find you here," the joint Trill said. "Taking in the view one last time?"
"Is is bad that I want to stay?" Sofia asked without looking at the woman who came to snuggle by her side, taking her hand into hers. "I saw Paris after it was laid to ruins by the Neo-Essentialists. I dealt with the ashes that blanketed the ground and hung in the air to make sure that no one could ever forget about all of the lives that were lost. I just do not want to go back to a life where I might have to deal with that all over again, or worse. Here, in this paradise, every day was pleasant, so much so that I started looking forward to the next day instead of fearing it. When we go back, are we going to have to deal with the Lokustaar? Will there even be a dimension for us to go back to?"
"Maybe, maybe not," Nicole replied, tenderly squeezing Sofia's hand. "That is part of being alive, we never know what tomorrow will bring. That is what makes life special," the Trill added. "That is what makes us cherish those special moments because we never know when they will end. Think about it this way, why do you want to stay here?"
"As I just said, because I do not want to relive Paris or have to deal with the Lokustaar again," the physician replied, suspecting that the woman by her side had already returned to performing her duties as the BASTET's Counselor.
"So you appreciate the beauty of this place, the peacefulness and tranquility because you have experienced the opposite, but what if you had not seen Paris? What if you had not gone up against the Lokustaar? Would you still find this place as enchanting as you do now?"
"I get it," Sofia sighed as she closed her eyes. "You cannot appreciate the good without having experienced the bad. You cannot understand peace until you have faced chaos. I agree with that philosophy, but we already paid the price and should we not be permitted to enjoy the reward? Let others deal with the darkness of the universe, I want to stay here, in this paradise, with you."
"I would like that, very much," Nic said. "How long would it take before you and I grow tired of this life though? It may not be pretty or nice, but we come from a dimension where the value of life is defined by the hardships we overcome. Here, on ELYSIA, all of our needs have been met leaving us with nothing to overcome, nothing for us to feel proud of accomplishing when the day is over. Yes, this place is a paradise, but we would soon find it an impossible place to live. Look at Gemma, she is in a way a visual representation of what we are. The only way she was able to deal with this place was to shield herself behind Ema, but what of a life would she have meditating every day?"
"There are times when I really do not like you," Sofia said, smiling at the woman next to her. "Just once I would like to be right," the Doctor added with a chuckle.
"You have been right plenty of times and i suspect that you will do so again soon," Nicole smiled back. "Just not here. We enjoyed paradise for over two months, which is more than most can claim. The memories we have made here will stay with us until our final days, and we will be able to look back to this time and remember what we found."
"Moving trees?" Sofia joked.
"No," Nicole huffed.
"Wait, I know those flowers that turned into butterflies?"
"No," the Trill repeated.
"Well, it has to be the flying whales than."
"Again, no," the Counselor sighed as she rolled her eyes. "We found each other, silly. We never would have been able to spend so much time together had we been anywhere else in the universe."
"Oh, that!" The Doctor said before leaning in and pulling the woman into a passionate kiss. Once the loving embrace ended, Sofia looked into Nicole's eyes as if she was the only thing that existed in this and all other universes. "We better head back to the settlement and finishing packing. I hate long goodbyes."
"Let's go. I will help you pack the rest of your equipment. I know how disorganized you can be when it comes to packing."
"It's not my fault that the crates we were given were just too small to fit everything I thought we might need," Sofia laughed as the two women headed back, hand in hand.
=-=
Tiffany Reeve
Commander Shar'El [Access Character BIO for Shar'El]
Executive Officer / Intel Liaison Officer
USS ANUBIS
“Packing and Unpacking”
[Previous Posts: (ANU) ”Time To Move On” / (BAS) "We Lost Paradise But Found Something Better”]
=/\=
Setting: ELYSIA
Stardate: 34062.1300
Nicole took a deep breath of the clean, sweet air. With the help of the HAWKING, the sprawling settlement was gone, the planet nearly restored to its unspoiled state. Footprints and paths worn into the ground were the only evidence left of their habitation, and with time those would be once more overtaken by foliage.
Even though the existence of the BASTET would be completely wiped from their temporary home, the memories of their unexpected trip would live on in the hearts and minds of the crew who had decided to colonize there. Those remembrances would be deeper and more meaningful for some than for others. “You ready, Nic?” The Doctor asked, giving her beloved’s hand a gentle squeeze of reassurance.
“I am… but where’s Gemma?”
Sofia didn’t look sure. “I know she threw herself into helping ready us for the return to the ship. Dismantling structures and organizing the beam-ups. Those nannites responsible for her personas give her an improbable amount of strength. But I haven’t seen her in about an hour.”
Dima thought on this for a few seconds. “I’m pretty sure I know where she is. You go ahead.”
Sofia looked worried. “Are you certain?”
“Yes I am. I can transport right to Sickbay if something goes wrong, remember?”
=/\=
Setting: Edge of the cliff
As Nicole made her way up the embankment, she felt relief mixed with concern. The planet had allowed Gemma to explore her other identities in a near perfect environment… in safety. On the other hand, without a specific challenge for the ILO to overcome, the persona they all knew best had spent most of their time on ELYSIA out of sight.
The Counselor expected to see Ema bidding farewell to the magical planet, or perhaps Wimda, taking a final moment to lament the missed opportunities to further explore. But surprisingly, it was a ponytailed young woman who stared at the magnificent vista, a partially eaten piece of fruit in her hand.
“Dayna? Are you alright?”
She looked down, digging the toe of her trendy shoe into the rocky earth. “I guess.” She took another bite of the native plant and frowned. “I don’t understand.”
“Don’t understand what?”
Dayna Smith sighed as only an angsty teen could. “I can’t see what Ema sees when she looks at this place. She keeps saying it’s paradise. But all I feel is trapped.”
“Our ship should be fully operational very soon. There’s no need to worry that we’ll be stranded here any more.”
Dayna rolled her eyes. “I know.”
“Then what’s bothering you?”
“Just once, I would like to feel like that,” she said wistfully.
“Like what?”
“How *she* feels. Sure. Calm. I don’t think I’ve had a calm day since I turned fourteen.”
“If it makes you feel any better, I’ve studied psychology for years and I have yet to find a way to manipulate emotions. All we can control is our response to what we are feeling.”
Dayna threw the piece of half-eaten fruit on the ground and stomped on it.
It was Nicole’s turn to sigh. “Did that really help solve anything?”
Miss Smith folded her arms defiantly. “I don’t care.”
“But that’s just it- you obviously *do* care, or else you wouldn’t be up here trying to recreate the Priestess’ zen moments.”
The teenager’s face looked downcast, and she paused before speaking. “I’m not sure if anyone knows, but I ran away from home,” she admitted. “I was tired of my parents, tired of ZETA DRACONIS, tired of being told what to do.”
“We all suspected you came from somewhere else,” Dima said cryptically.
“And you’ve been pretty nice about not bugging me about it,” Dayna continued. “I thought if I could only break free, I’d know what I wanted to do with my life.”
“Let me guess- that hasn’t worked out the way you planned?”
“Not really.”
Nicole thought of the unlikely chain of events that led her to Sofia, then to the BASTET, and now to this cliffside. Maybe one day she could tell Dayna all about ‘the best laid plans’. “Would you believe me if I told you that’s perfectly normal?”
“Why? Because you’re some kind of *shrink*?” she asked in distaste.
Nic stifled the urge to giggle. “No. Because I’m your friend, and I care about you. All of us do.”
Dayna took one last look at the impressive view, a little uncomfortable with the kindness shown to her by the Counselor. She wasn’t used to that. “It’s time to leave, isn’t it?” she asked, pouting a little.
Dima smiled. “We’re ready when you are. I told Doctor Andersson I’d look for you.”
“And she let you go off by yourself?”
Nicole gestured to the delta-shaped badge on her uniform. “Not exactly. I’m on the grid again. Truth be told, so are you. Thanks to Samson.”
Dayna nodded. “Goodbye, crazy planet,” the girl said softly, then turned to go. “Hey wait- does that mean the replicators are back online?”
“Probably,” Nicole mused, as she began to tap her comm for a beam-up.
“Awesome- then I want a pepperoni pizza.”
=/\=
Susan Ledbetter
Writing for
=-=
"Personal Reflections"
[the previous post was (ANU) "Focus On The Mission" / (BAS) "Packing and Unpacking"]
=-=
Setting: USS BASTET, Corridor
Stardate: 34063.1400
It might have been Dayna who beamed back to the BASTET, but it was Gemma who stepped into the corridor. This was where she belonged; this ship is where she felt at home. At least, as close to a home as the woman had ever known. Before behind assigned to this ship, the galaxy had been her backyard. There was nowhere she could not go, and there was nowhere she ever wanted to return to. That was until she found a home within this structure.
The Trill Counselor had walked out ahead of the ILO into the corridor. "So, still in the mood for a pepperoni pizza?"
"Why would I bee in the mood for such unpalatable food?" The reply from Gemma made Dima do a quick 180. While on ELYSIA, the personalities of the ILO seemed to be a little more stable. Clearly, that was no longer the case.
"My apologies Lieutenant. I thought I was speaking to some else." Nicole looked at the much sterner expression of the woman, almost missing the teen that had been there seconds before. "Forget pizza, are you in the mood for some freshly replicated food?" The efforts of the CNS were noble, but she was no longer dealing with a rebellious teen.
"Sorry Counselor," Gemma said in the cold and calculating tone normally associated with the ILO. "I need to check in with Cmdr. Valentine and see if my assistance is required. I am certain that both the Captain and First Officer would like to see us heading back as quickly as possible."
"All work and no play..." Nicole started to say, allowing her thoughts to make it into words.
Gemma quickly interrupted, not letting the joined Trill complete her sentence. "Leaves us stranded in an unknown dimension. We have been 'no work and all play' for nearly two months. Do you not believe that it was long enough?"
The CNS knew better than to try to argue with Gemma. Not because she would possibly lose the argument, but more because there was no telling who would come to try to win it. "I guess you are right. I will not keep you any longer. Have a great day."
"You to Counselor," Gemma said before heading down the corridor in a very determined pace.
"Note to self," Nicole whispered. "Always make sure you know who you are talking to. At least I learned one thing, each of the personality is equally aware of the passage of time. Not sure how this will help, but knowing anything about Gemma is a good thing."
=-=
Setting: USS BASTET, Main Engineering
Stardate: 34063.1430
Gemma was the one heading to this location, but it was Gabrielle Wolf who walked in. The expert saboteur had reluctantly taken on the role of CEO at first. Over time though, the women with the German accent had come to actually enjoy the work. As she stepped into the room, the first thing that Gabrielle noticed was how everything had been fixed. The repair teams of the HAWKING had outdone themselves. Everything was back as if the ship had been fresh out of dry-dock.
Touring engineering, Gabrielle could recall of the damage this section of the ship had endured. Some of the workstations had been nothing but a shattered mess. Now they were as good as new. All of the hanging wirings used to bridge those panels that worked was gone. Had she not known that this was BASTET, she might have questioned the identity of this ship.
With a few quick presses on the restored controls, Gabrielle called up a system's status report. "Engineering to Cmdr. Valentine."
=/\= Go ahead. =/\=
"Repairs to life support have been completed. Primary and auxiliary power to sensors and transporters has also been mostly restored. Impulse power is ready and by the looks of things, we should have warp capability in a couple of hours. The Temporal Drive and Dimensional Jump Drive should also be back to full operational status in a couple of hours. We are almost ready to be on our own. In fact, I think the power transfer from the HAWKING is not entirely necessary at this time."
=/\= They are still offering to help us, so I see no reason to let our pride get in the way. Let us simply make sure that we are fully ready to leave orbit and head back to our dimension. Check and double-check every system. I do not want something to break along the way. =/\=
"Acknowledged," the woman with the thick German accent said. "I will let you know how everything is in a couple of hours. Engineering out." Gabrielle took a moment to look around the room. It still felt strange for her to be fixing things instead of setting them up to explode. It was taking some time for her to get used to that feeling, but it was getting easier every time. Maybe there was something to be said about being part of a team like this. Maybe.
=-=
Rachel Jackie Johnson
[The fun is getting to wear multiple disguises and getting to explore multiple personalities and bring them to life. - Jenna Fischer]
"A Sorrow-filled Farewell"
Previous posts: (ANU) "My Non-Existent Holonovel" & (BAS) "Personal Reflection"
---
Setting: USS BASTET, Bridge
Stardate: 34063.1600
With each passing minute, the BASTET was becoming more and more ready to begin the journey back home. The repairs to the ship happened a lot faster than anyone could have expected them to, but then again, the HAWKING was not your standard trans-dimensional ship, not that there was such a thing, to begin with.
The Asian woman studied her sensor readings once more, giving the planet below one more look. The mountains with caves filled with glowing crystals, the pristine waterfall feedings the small lake and river that provided water as pure as could be, the open fields with dancing tall grass and flowers that turned into butterflies, not to mention the forests of moving three. All of these things had been as strange and wonderful as could be expected, but more important was that they were the foundation of what the crew had called home for the past two months. Looking at the way Commander Valentine was bouncing around the bridge; Aki could tell that the woman was happy to be leaving this world behind without a second thought. Unfortunately, the CSciO and other members of the crew did not as joyfully share in that sentiment. In fact, some were rather sad and even depressed by their departure from this paradise.
The sound of the doors to the turbolift opening made Aki look in that direction to see the Ship's Counselor walk onto the bridge. Her eyes went immediately to the image on the main view screen, a view of the world that welcomed them in a way that nothing else could have ever been expected to. Seeing the Captain and First Officer busy with the final preparations, Nicole approached Aki. "Doing your tour of the crew, Counselor?"
If it was not for the smile dancing on the Asian woman's lips, the joint Trill might have taken offense to the question. "Captain Iverson and Commander Valentine are making sure nothing has been forgotten, Gemma, or more to the point Gabrielle Wolf, is down in engineering making sure that all of our systems are back as they should be, Sofia is in sickbay getting reacquainted with the medical equipment she has not had to touch in two months. So, I'm just checking up on the crew to make sure that everyone is doing well and to remind them that I am here should they need someone to talk to."
"Nice way to put it," Aki chuckled. "I will say this, the last two months were very different from what we were used to, and maybe it is fortunate that we did not spend more time on ELYSIA, we might have completely forgotten how to do what we used to."
"That is true," Nicole chuckled back. "It is amazing how quickly some people forget how to do the most basic of jobs when they are out of their routine. By the looks of things though, I would say that everyone is getting back into action with relative ease."
"Necessity," the CSciO said looking down at her console. "We were all Starfleet personnel before our arrival and that is what we need to be now in order to go back home. We have to do our work without letting our personal opinions or feelings get in the way."
"I thought I was the Ship's Counselor," Nicole chuckled.
"You have nothing to fear about that," Aki said. "I am in no way trying to take over your job. I just understand how things need to be. I could have spent the rest of my life down there and not be bored in the least, trying to understand that wonderful world and all of its mysteries. I also understand that I was one of the lucky ones because who I am fit nicely with what we found down here. As a Counselor, you need people to share their problems with you. As a Doctor, Sofia needs to deal with injuries and illnesses. As the First Officer, Sarena needs some kind of goal to work towards, and the Captain needs a ship and crew to lead. While we were on ELYSIA, none of those things were there for anyone needing a *job* to do, the only exceptions were for those like me whose job is to explore and study new places and worlds."
"There was one exception to your exceptions," Dima noted pensively.
"Gemma," Aki said. "Her ability to adapt to any situation was tested while we were down there, and in a way, I think she was the one who came away from there with the most profound experience. I am not sure that I envy her, but I certainly do appreciate how easy she made it all seem. That was then, this is now, and we will soon be seeing the stars of home instead of a world that some of us will miss more than others."
"I suspect that you will be one of those who will miss it the most," Nicole said. "If you ever *need* to talk, even if it is only to reminisce about what happened, let me know. I would very much like to hear about how you saw ELYSIA. I promise to keep any counseling opinion to myself. I would just like to see that planet through your eyes."
"I would like that, thank you," Aki said, her voice breaking ever so slightly as the emotions brought on the subject of their discussion found their way through.
"Be sure to take a few pictures before we leave," Nicole said adding a supportive smile.
"I have a full holodeck program programmed and ready to run," the Asian woman said. "One of the advantages of having done some detailed scans and surveys of the areas we were in, I was able to have the newly restored computer generate some very convincing holographic reconstructions." Aki paused and smile as she saw a hint of disapproval in the eyes of the Counselor. "I had to test the computer system and holodecks once all of the repairs were completed. Commander Valentine did say that she wanted everything up and running as well as tested before we left."
"It would seem that our little discussion will have to take place in the holodeck," the Counselor said adding a playful wink. "Let me know when you are available, I will make sure to enter it in my calendar. In the meantime, let's focus on getting all of us back home safe and sound."
///^\\\
Dawn Bohr
Lieutenant Misaki 'Aki' Mitshiba [Access Character BIO for Misaki Mitshiba]
Chief Science Officer
USS BASTET - NCC 74977
---
"No Looking Back"
(Previous Post: (ANU) "Professional Assessment" / (BAS) " A Sorrow-filled Farewell")
---
Setting: Space
Stardate: 34063.1700
Two sleek vessels made their way into deep space, a small emerald sphere against the star-filled background growing increasingly smaller as the ships moved away. From this vantage point, there was no way to know how high the feelings onboard the USS BASTET were running, or in what direction. For some amongst the crew, the expanding distance between them and ELYSIA was more than welcomed, their excitement growing larger as the planet seemed to grow smaller. For others, it would be their sorrows that increased in proportion to the distance from the paradise that the planet had been for them.
---
Setting: USS BASTET, Bridge
Stardate: 34063.1700
"All systems are responding perfectly," Commander Valentine reported.
"If all is as it should be," the avatar of the HAWKINGS said giving the bridge and its personnel once last quick glance, "I will be returning to my ship."
"Please extend our deepest gratitude to your Captain and crew. You have all saved us from spending the rest of our lives on that planet," Selene said moving to stand in front of the artificial man to properly see him off.
"I shall pass on the message Captain. May your journey home be quick and uneventful." Just as Samson said this, the man who had acted as the liaison between the two vessels during the entirety of the repairs vanished in a transporter shimmer.
"You know," Sarena began as she approached Selene. "I think it would be nice to have one of those on board the BASTET."
"I will make sure to put in a request to Admiral Koniki," Captain Iverson said, that is as soon as we get back to NEW ALEXANDRIA."
"Taking that as her cue," Commander Valentine quickly tapped her communicator. "Bridge to Engineering, is everything ready for us to perform a dimensional jump?"
=/\= All power levels are reading nominal, =/\= Gemma reported, the ILO taking on the role and responsibilities of Chief Engineer for the time being. Thanks to her being more than a 'jack-of-all-trades', the woman could easily slide into pretty much any role with little effort. =/\= Since the HAWKING discontinued the power transfer, we have not detected any anomalies or power fluctuations. The repairs they did on our systems match, if not surpass, anything that would have been accomplished back at our base of operations, =/\= the multi-faceted woman added.
"They did better than anything that could have been down inside NEW ALEXANDRIA or at any of the orbital dry docks," Valentine offered. "They performed all of the repairs without the help of any external frames and only relying on their own ship to not only supply extra power but to also replicate all of the parts that needed to be replaced."
"It sounds like the android is not the only thing you wished we had one of our own," Captain Iverson said referring to the HAWKING. Truth be known, Selene was equally in awe at the other transdimensional vessel as it easily surpassed anything the Federation possessed. Although there were a great many similarities between the Federation and the Galactic Commonwealth, it was not hard to see that the later was centuries ahead in technological advancement if not more.
"I will say this for the Captain of the HAWKING, he knows how to keep secrets. Despite all of the help and equipment they provided us with, we don't know any more about them then we did the first time we encountered that ship and crew," Sarena said sounding a little disappointed.
"They have the same general guidelines as our Prime Directive," Lieutenant Mitshiba said joining in on the conversation. "Everything they did for us, every piece of equipment they replaced matches perfectly what we had. The BASTET is no different than what it was before, with maybe the exception that it is all fixed up."
"Speaking of being fixed up, shall we put our Dimensional Jump Drive to the test?" the Captain asked as she made her way back to her chair giving the ship on the view screen one last thankful look. "Ship wide," Selene ordered. As soon as the chimes preceding the announcement were done playing, Iverson addressed the crew. "The last two months have been interesting, to say the least. We found a welcoming home and accepted being there because we never expected to be able to return home. Thanks to the intervention of the USS HAWKING and its crew, that changed and we are now able to head back to our dimension and home." Selene paused for a few moments to allow her words to be processed by everyone. "All stations, stand by for a dimensional jump."
---
Setting: USS BASTET, Sickbay
Stardate: 34063.1710
=/\= ...stand by for a dimensional jump. =/\=
"Here we go," Doctor Andersson said as she reached for the hand of the Counselor. There was nothing to be afraid of as the systems had been thoroughly tested by both Samson and Gemma, but still, the two women felt the need to share this moment in a closer manner. Part of the reason was to celebrate their return home, and part of the reason was to be there for each other as they said a final and silent farewell to the paradise that saw them grow closer to one another.
The strange feeling of a faint energy field dancing on their skins indicated that the process for a dimensional jump had begun and that if all went well, which there was no reason to believe otherwise, they would be back where they belonged in a matter of seconds.
---
Setting: Space
Stardate: 34063.1715
The strange spacial distortion associated with this method of traveling quickly grew to engulf the USS BASTET and pulled it out of the dimension that it was in. Within mere seconds, where there were two ships, only one remained, the HAWKING having stayed behind to ensure that all had gone well.
---
Setting: USS BASTET, Bridge
Stardate: 34063.1715
"Dimensional jump completed," Commander Valentine announced after a quick scan of the console she was standing in front of.
"Long-range sensors are confirming that the star patterns match those that we have on record for this dimension," Lieutenant Mitshiba added. "We are back home."
"What is our exact location?" Captain Iverson inquired. Traveling from one dimension to another usually meant that they were in the same 'location', just in another dimension, but thanks to their dealings with the Lokustaar and their journey to ELYSIA, that location had changed quite a bit.
"We are in the vicinity of the CETI ERRANY cluster," the Chief Science Officer reported. "That means we are still in Federation space although quite a bit away from any major world. NEW ALEXANDRIA is almost a full week away at maximum speed."
"What about the Lokustaar?" Commander Valentine asked. "The last time we were here, they were on the verge of conquering everything."
"I am not detecting any signs of the Lokustaar, their ships or any sort of transmission that might have originated from them," Mitshiba said. "The problem is that we are too far to tap into the Federation communication network. It will take a day or so before we are close enough to pick up a signal if there is one to pick up."
"I highly doubt that the universe would be so cruel as to give us the means to return home only for us to find it gone," Selene said not ready to believe that all had been lost, especially not after everything they had gone through. "Set course for the nearest communication beacon. In the meantime, let us enjoy the fact that we are now closer to home than we have been in a very long time.
---
Jessica Solarik
Captain Selene Fiona Iverson [Access Character BIO for Selene Iverson]
Commanding Officer
USS BASTET
&
Lieutenant Commander Maya [Access Character BIO for Maya]
Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS
"To see the world in a grain of sand,
and a heaven in a wild flower.
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
and eternity in an hour."
- William Blake (British, 1757-1827)
[/\] [/\] [/\] [/\] [/\]
"Asking A Few Questions"
[previous post (ANU) "Agita" / (BAS) "No Looking Back")]
Setting: USS BASTET, Bridge
Stardate: 34063.1730
The expression might have been dated but it still applied all too well to their current situation -- It was quiet, too quiet. Two months go when they were still in this dimension, the Lokustaar were doing everything they could to get a solid foothold, making incursions in every sector and in a variety of ways. As much as the outcome of the war was not set in stone, the odds were not in their favor, so what could have happened to cause this unsettling stillness?
Sarena hoped that Selene was right in her claim that the universe would not be so cruel to allow them to return home only to find it empty following a Lokustaar victory. The truth was that they knew just enough about the dimensional invaders to agree that they had no idea what would happen once those opposing them were defeated. The Shadows were bent on spreading chaos wherever they went, obviously uncaring as to the pain and suffering they caused. At times, it was even theorized that this was their end game, to see this dimension crimpled and slowly dying in a pool of its own collective blood. Whatever their final objective was, the Executive Officer was certain that this, being what she was looking at through the main view screen, was not it.
"Lt. Mitshiba, as I recall, the Federation has an automated science station within the CETI ERRANY cluster, am I right?"
"Yes," the CSciO said. "It was left there to monitor the changes within the cluster, but the station was never designed to send or receive communications. It is nothing more than a sensors array that sends a data burst once every couple of weeks; just enough to let those at Starfleet know that it is still there."
"I understand that this may be a longshot," the Executive Officer said turning to face the Captain. "The data collected by the sensors of the automated station would have been focused on the cluster, but the one advantage it has is that it was there the entire time we were not. Maybe it detected something that might give us a clue as to what happened. We are a day away from the near Federation communication relay station, but less than an hour from the cluster. I believe that it is a wiser course of action for us to get as much information now instead of risking announcing our presence to whoever might be out there. After two months, can we be 100% certain as to whom our foes are?"
Selene sighed but gave a distinct look of agreement. There was a reason why Sarena and Gemma got along so well, at least most of the time; it was because they shared many of the same paranoias. "Alright, set course for the research station," the Captain ordered. "After two months, I guess we can spare an hour or so to make sure what it is we are returning home to."
"Obviously, I agree," Sarena said. "As strange as it will sound, it would have been easier had we come back near the Romulan or Ferengi borders. At least that way we could have been able to instantly gauge what the situation is; then again, we might have landed right in the middle of a Lokustaar fleet. All things considered, I think this is best, but in the meantime, it might be an idea for us to keep our eyes open."
"No worries Commander," Misaki said. "I will continue long-range scans and access the research station's data logs as soon as we are close enough to do so."
"Captain, with your permission, I will head down to Engineering and check-in with Gemma," the Executive Officer said. "It is not that I do not trust the work done by the repair teams of the HAWKING, but I would feel better seeing the state of the equipment with my own eyes after the dimensional jump we just performed." Again, the Captain agreed likely knowing that the real reason for the request was that the Executive Officer simply did not want to just stand around waiting.
[/\] [/\] [/\] [/\] [/\]
Setting: USS BASTET, Main Engineering
Stardate: 34063.1745
Sarena walked in to find the heart of the ship looking as if it had just been launched from dry-dock for the very first time. Everything seemed so new, lacking any of the signs of day-to-day use. When she saw Gemma, Valentine actually smiled before speaking. "I feel like I should be removing my boots in here, this place looks more like an engineering display instead of the main engineering of an active ship that just managed to jump from one dimension to another."
"Would it make you feel better if I broke something? I am sure there are a couple of cooling conduits that would make a nice mess of the floor in no time," Gemma said clearly not having found any humor in the Commander's words. "Are you here to check up on me or the BASTET? Whichever is the case, we are all doing fine," the woman said walking away from the Executive Officer.
There were no doubts about it; Gemma was back in full form. The passive and accommodating Oltharian priest was far-gone and by the sounds of things, the ILO wanted to catch up on two months of having been someone else. How she managed to keep all of those personalities sorted was still a mystery that the Executive Officer had problems wrapping her head around.
"I know the BASTET is fine, if it was not we would not have made it back so smoothly and I am sure that you would have let us know if something was not as it should have been. As for you, the same pretty much applies. I know that you are fine, hence why you are working the way you are now. No, I am here *because* you are fine and I need your help and expertise as this ship's ILO."
Gemma stopped walking and turned her head in order to glare back at Sarena. "Go on, I'm listening."
"I need you to give me what you believe would be the most accurate deployment scenario concerning the Lokustaar based on what we know of them," Sarena explained.
"That information is two months out-of-date," Gemma unceremoniously pointed out. "Basing any analysis on that kind of data could prove fatal."
"I know, that is why I have come to you as I believe that you would be better at filling in the gaps left during the last two months. The computer can only extrapolate the data, but you can look at it and see something that no machine would ever be able to see. We are underway to the research station located in the CETI ERRANY cluster. My hope is that the sensors were able to register something over the last two months that might give us a better idea of what happened here."
"Smart," Gemma said without actually sounding like she was admiring or congratulating Sarena. "Alright, I will have a look at the data we had as well as whatever Misaki manages to get from the research station. Just be forewarned, what I end up telling you may not be what any of you want to hear. The Lokustaar, from what we know of them, are as nasty as can be. Whatever we were able to accomplish in another dimension, like making them visible to our instruments, will most likely have no impact on the situation here, therefore we have to go on the assumption that over the last two months, the Lokustaar carved their way through whoever was standing in their way as if they weren't even there."
"I know," Sarena said. "Let me know what you find out."
[/\] [/\] [/\] [/\] [/\]
Karen Price
Commander Sarena Valentine [Access Character BIO for Sarena Valentine]
Executive Officer
USS BASTET, NCC 74977
“Bright Future”
[Previous Posts: (ANU) “Digging Up Dirt” /(BAS) “Asking A Few Questions”]
=/\=
“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.”
-Soren Kierkegaard
=/\=
Setting: USS BASTET, Infirmary
Stardate: 34064.0745
Sofia carried back two more cups of coffee to where she and Dima were sitting, enjoying the assorted pastries Nicole had brought for breakfast. She set a taupe-colored beverage in front of the joined Trill, then sat back down.
“Being back on ship time has me feeling groggy,” the doctor admitted, savoring her coffee.
“I’m sure you’ll be fine once we reach NEW ALEXANDRIA,” Nicole said breezily, thoroughly enjoying her blueberry streusel cheese danish.
Sofia looked up from her eclair. “You, on the other hand, look positively chipper. What gives?”
“We’re back where we belong,” Nic answered, as if that explained everything. “As inspiring as ELYSIA was, I need a greater purpose. I would guess most of us do.”
“Does it have anything to do with what is in the other box?” Sofia asked with curiosity, gesturing to the larger box that sat unopened on a nearby biobed.
“It might,” Nicole teased. “Why don’t you open it? It’s for you.”
Sofia got up, excitedly wiped her hands on a napkin, and gingerly lifted the box. It wasn’t heavy, and it made very little noise when she shook it.
“I’m glad I didn’t let you shake our breakfast,” Nic joked.
Sofia took off the lid and fumbled with a couple of layers of tissue paper. She pulled out a simple dress of flaxen material. It had short sleeves and a seamed empire waist, and looked to be tea length. It was a pale lilac color. She was speechless.
Nic mistook her silence for a lack of interest. “I know, I wasn’t sure about the color, it’s completely impractical, but-”
Sofia shushed her by placing a finger over her lips. “It’s beautiful. You made this?”
“Sort of,” the brunette tried to explain. “Some of the fabric came from my loom, but it wasn’t enough. Aki helped me with the replicator to get the rest of the way there.”
“It’s lovely.” The two women hugged.
Nicole looked sentimental as she gazed into Sofia’s eyes. “No matter where the ship takes us, I always want to remember the time we had together in paradise.”
“I won’t forget, I promise. But there’s one other thing *you* shouldn’t forget.”
Nicole smiled, still embracing her beloved. “And what’s that?”
Sofia giggled. “That if you don’t leave soon, you’ll be late for your meeting with the Captain.”
=/\=
Setting: Ready Room
“Good morning, Counselor,” Selene said as she watched Dima enter, clutching two PADDs and looking almost as though she were rushed. “Is everything all right?”
Nicole smiled, settling in to a seat across from the Captain. “Just working on getting my ‘space legs’ back. We haven’t had to keep much of a schedule lately.”
The ebony-haired woman nodded her head. “Routine and habit are two things that may take some more time to readjust to.”
“Like these meetings, for instance,” Nicole said comfortably as she glanced at the first PADD as a reference, which had an outline of how things had been progressing since they reboarded the BASTET.
Captain Iverson clasped her hands together as her arms rested on her desk. “How are the crew doing?”
“I’m being cautiously optimistic here, but generally speaking, morale is up.”
“Caution comes with the territory,” Selene mused.
“It’s a professional hazard,” the younger woman grinned impishly. “While I would say there are some that miss ELYSIA, there are a vast majority that are happy to be back in our own version of space, especially those who remained on the ship while we colonized the planet.”
“I would imagine they feel vindicated.”
“Maybe. But ‘grateful’ and ‘relieved’ are the words I have heard the most since the HAWKING intervened on our behalf. Despite the differences between those who stayed and those who didn’t, we were one crew before and we are one crew again.”
The CO leaned back in her chair, somewhat reassured. “What about those that were more than content to explore our new home? Lieutenant Mitshiba comes to mind, for instance.”
“I don’t think we’ll have to worry about that. Aki has managed to create a holodeck program from the extensive scans and data she gathered while we were there. Anyone who is homesick for our settlement should be able to spend some time there and recharge. I could also ask if she could program some of the native fruits into the replicator… that is after she’s done monitoring the CETI ERRANI’s science station, of course.”
Iverson pondered the idea. A break on ELYSIA, even a simulated one, would be a welcome change of pace once in a while. “And Gemma?”
“Even though her primary persona was mostly absent from the colony, she has proven herself the most resilient and adaptable of all of us. While she can still shift from one personality to the next rapidly, there is usually a reason or task that presents itself that draws the most helpful alter ego out of her. It’s much more stable than after we found her nearly suffocated in space.” Dima thought of her brief discussion with Dayna Smith on the cliffside. “The ability to look at any given situation from completely unique perspectives is a gift that Gemma does not fully realize she has, but it is a valuable reminder to all of us to stay flexible and open to new ideas.”
“What about Doctor Andersson?”
Nicole demurred a little, a faraway look in her blue eyes. “I may be a bit biased, but she seems to be doing fine.” The road that had brought the CMO to the BASTET had not been an easy one, but she seemed to have emerged with her Hippocratic Oath and her desire to help others intact. “I wasn’t sure if her ‘roughing it’ on the planet was going to go as well as it did, but the planet’s beauty and resources made it as comfortable as it could be, and more than even I expected.”
“I think I understand.” It had become common knowledge that the two women were together, and while Selene thought of the complications that might bring down the line, overall she got the impression that they were good for one another.
Just then, Commander Valentine entered, making a beeline for Sarena’s desk, in her customary full-of-steam way, but stopped short upon seeing the Counselor there. “Oh, I didn’t mean to interrupt anything.”
“No, actually it’s good that you’re here.” The junior officer handed Sarena the second PADD. “I had a lot of time to think while we were in the other dimension. I had planned on presenting this to the Captain, but since you’ll be overseeing the majority of the action plan, it’s best that I give it to you.”
“I’m a little too busy right now to take on any additional projects,” the ExO griped, but was still interested in what she had been given, skimming it for the important details.
“There’s no specific time frame for this, as you’ll see.” Dima stood at a relaxed attention, suddenly nervous about her decision.
The curvy brunette, who had sat on the edge of the desk to browse the document, looked up at Selene, then over to Nicole. “You’re requesting Bridge Officer Training?”
=/\=
Susan Ledbetter
Writing for
"Far-Reaching Implications"
Previous posts: (ANU) "Digging Up Dirt" & (BAS) "Bright Future"
---
Setting: USS BASTET, Captain's Ready Room
Stardate: 34064.0830
After confirming that Nicole wanted to try her hand at Bridge Officer Training, Commander Valentine wasted no time and asked her to keep an eye on the bridge while she spoke with the Captain.
"Is everything okay?" Selene asked.
"It's Misaki," Sarena said. "She is still in the Astrometric lab. She spent all night there reviewing the data collected from the research station monitoring the CETI ERRANI cluster."
"Guess there is a lot of data for her to go through," the Captain half dismissed.
"Gemma joined her late last night," the Commander added. "They *both* spent the night in there. To me, this is no longer about how much data they found but rather what they found in that data."
"Maybe we should pay them a visit."
"My thoughts exactly."
---
Setting: USS BASTET, Deck 4, Astrometric Lab
Stardate: 34064.0830
Captain Iverson and Commander Valentine walked into the Astrometric Lab to find the Asian and Uxali scientists working on something that filled every screen in the room. At first glance, it was hard to tell what exactly they were researching as a great deal of the information dealt with multi-dimensional effects, but the more the two senior-most officers watched the pair working, the more they realized that this was well beyond their level of comprehension.
"Mind if we ask what you two are trying to figure out?" Commander Valentine asked. She might not have understood what they were doing, but the fact that both Misaki and Wimdalli were so completely engrossed in there work not notice their arrival was hint enough to know that it was big.
"We are looking into the possible causes for a massive modulated energy transfer through multiple dimensions," the Uxali woman said as if this explained everything.
"Well that cleared everything up," Sarena sarcastically sighed. "Mind giving us more than the abridge footnote review?"
"Apologies Commander," Aki said as she turned around to notice that the woman was not alone. "Captain," the CSciO quickly added. "As soon as the data from the research station was accessed, I noticed a drastic spike in the background energy of this region of space. After a few hours of trying to explain what it was, I asked for Gemma's opinion because I was at a complete loss to explain what it was I was looking at and thought that maybe an engineering perspective might offer some insight."
"My guess is that it did not," Captain Iverson said noting with a nod of her head that it was not Gemma who was here in the lab with her but rather the Uxali scientist.
"The more we investigated this energy spike, the more questions we uncovered and it soon became apparent that we were dealing with something a lot larger than either one of us could have anticipated. That is why Wimda and I spent the night here, trying to narrow down our theories to only one. I believe that we have done managed this but now we are looking into the extent of the effect, which unfortunately we have yet to be able to confirm on a wide-scale range," Aki said before looking back at the large video display. "We were able to confirm with relative certainty that the source of the dimensional shockwave which created the energy spike in this dimension originated from us."
"Us? As in the BASTET?" The First Officer gasped.
"I am afraid so, Commander," Wimda said never stopping what she was doing. "Taking into account the temporal shifts between dimensions and the expected energy dispersion that we know occurs as matter moves from a dimensional location to another, we have been able to confirm with relative certitude that the time of the energy spike and the explosion set in motion by Gemma are nearly identical. The problem is that we still have no way to confirm how this explosion breached dimensions. All we can do is observe the effect that appears to be identified here as in where we were."
"The energy blast traveled from one Lokustaar ship tp the next rendering them visible to our sensors," Captain Iverson said. "Are you telling me that this happened here as well?"
"Everything seems to point to that," Aki confirmed. "That is why we have been spending all of this time going through the data collected by the automated research station trying to confirm that this is the case."
"If the Lokustaar lost their ability to cloak their vessels in this dimension, that could have drastically changed the momentum of the war," Sarena said, not at all trying to hide her excitement as the possibility. One of the greatest advantages the Shadows possessed was to be able to move from star system to another without being detected, but if what Aki and Wimda were saying actually did happen, those ships would no longer be able to hide under everyone's noses.
"The explosion happened two months ago," Captain Iverson began. "That would not be enough time for any single force to defeat the Lokustaar, at least not based on what we know of their strengths and power."
"Keep in mind that this dimensional energy created by the explosion was transferred from one Lokustaar vessel to all of the others within range, and from what we can see here, the effects of the explosion covers further than what our sensors can reach. If only one Shadow vessel was touched by this dimensional energy blast, it would not take long for *all* of their ships to become visible, which means that they would have found themselves going up against every race able to fight them in space, not just the Federation."
"We really need to get to a communication relay station now," Valentine said. "If the Lokustaar are on the run Starfleet is going to need every available ship to corner them and make sure they can never threaten us again."
Not wanting to rush into this too quickly and risk the safety of the crew and ship, Captain Iverson leaned in between the two scientists. "What are your recommendations? Do you believe it safe for us to head for the nearest communication relay station?"
"With the Lokustaar unable to hide, the danger is limited to being what we would normally have to face when traveling through space, maybe even a little less as the BASTET has been recently 'refurbished' to the point of being almost new," Aki replied. "I for one would not mind finding out just how bad things have gotten for the Lokustaar following the explosion. I feel sorry that we ended up not being part of the action for the last two months, but it would be nice to confirm that this shift in the momentum of the war was actually our doing."
"Even if we were the cause," the Uxali woman grinned, "there is no way for us to take credit for it, not without doing a lot of explaining to a lot of people who should not know about any of what we can do with the BASTET."
"Great job ladies," Captain Iverson said. "You two keep looking into this, in the meantime, we will head to the nearest Communication's relay outpost." Selene paused just enough to tap her communicator. "Iverson to Bridge."
=/\= Go ahead Captain, =/\= the Counselor acknowledged.
"If you are up for it, set course for the nearest Federation communication relay station, warp 8. Commander Valentine and I are heading back to the bridge."
=/\= Nearest Federation Communication relay station at warp 8, aye, aye, Captain, =/\= Nicole repeated a little more nervously than she might have wanted to.
"Wait," Aki said as the full realization of what she had just heard hit her. "Counselor Dima is in charge of the bridge?"
"See, that's what happens when you spend all your time locked away in the Astrometric lab," Sarena teased. "You miss important meetings."
///^\\\
Dawn Bohr
Lieutenant Misaki 'Aki' Mitshiba [Access Character BIO for Misaki Mitshiba]
Chief Science Officer
USS BASTET - NCC 74977
---
"Unexpected Twist"
(Previous Post: (ANU) "The List" / (BAS) "Far-Reaching Implications")
---
Setting: USS BASTET, Bridge
Stardate: 34064.1100
Captain Iverson stepped back onto the bridge followed by Commander Valentine to the great and very visible relief of Ensign Dima. When she asked to be considered for bridge duty training, the Counsellor had never expected to be placed in charge of the command deck and the entire ship mere moments later.
"Welcome back Captain, Commander," Nicole said quickly distancing herself from the chair reserved for the Commanding Officer on duty. "Is everything all right?" The joint Trill asked, easily noticing that something was not quite as it should be especially following the order she received to have the BASTET head for the nearest Communication Relay Station at warp 8. The first time she gave an order as a bridge officer.
"According to Lieutenant Mitshiba and Wimdalli, we, meaning the BASTET, are responsible for the Lokustaar losing their ability to cloak their ships in this dimension as well as the one where the explosion took place," Sarena explained as a hint of a smile cautiously formed on her lips. This was good news, very good news, but the implications were little beyond what any of them could fully grasp at this time. The Lokustaar, a seemingly unstoppable dark plague that was spreading over countless dimensions had been dealt a crimpling blow by accident.
"What do we do next?" Nicole asked, not as a bridge officer but rather as a Counsellor, that way the decision was not hers to influence but rather to offer support to the Captain should she be in need.
"Once we reach the communication relay station, we get a better idea of what it is that happened and where they need us," Selene replied. "Even with the Lokustaar unable to hide the way they did, they are still a formidable foe that should not be underestimated. Whatever happened, the landscape of the war effort drastically changed, but I strongly doubt that the war itself would have simply ended overnight."
"Those Shadows are not the kind to just walk away from a fight," Sarena said. "We experienced that first hand more than once"
"The best we can do is to get a better idea of what is happening," the Captain added. "Once we have that, and maybe get a hold of Admiral Koniki, we will be in a better position to know exactly what it is we need to be doing. Counsellor, would you like to stay on the bridge?"
"As much as I would like to," Nicole said in a little bit more of a nervous tone than she might have wanted. "I think it might be better for me to go back to my duties as Counsellor. I am sure that the news of what happened is going to be felt by the entirety of the crew, some seeing this as the beginning of the end while others will be concerned about loved ones who might have been caught in the crossfire that followed the Lokustaar no longer being able to hide in the shadows."
"Very well Counsellor," Iverson said as she took over the central chair. "I shall be looking forward to seeing you back here and sitting in this chair."
As soon as Nicole boarded the turbolift and the doors closed, Valentine turned to Iverson. "What do you think?"
"I think she did fine. I t was not like we threw her into a combat scenario her first time in charge of the bridge," the Captain replied.
"I meant about the Lokustaar," Sarena said, not entirely sure if the woman sitting in the central chair was jesting or not by answering the way she had. "Nicole is right; the sudden inability of the Shadows to hide could have forced them to engage in places that they might not have otherwise in order to keep their presence a secret. As much of a tactical advantage as this twist was, I am sure that it came at a cost."
"I agree," Selene noted. "We also have to keep in mind that the Lokustaar managed to gather quite a few followers and sympathizers on pretty much every world they were on, and those people would also have found themselves suddenly pushed into the open. There is no greater danger than an opponent who believes himself to be trapped and without a way out."
"I truly hate this," Commander Valentine sighed. "Here we are with possibly one of the best news we could have received and we are still managing to find something wrong with it."
"I am afraid that it is an unfortunate reality of our line of work," the Captain said. "We always try to look at the silver lining of whatever dark cloud ends up over our heads. Look at what led the crew to ELYSIA, we turned a literal dead-end into hope and a future for us all. Now that we are back to our old lives, it is hard for us not to see every little defect or fear the slightest thing that might come to take that away from us. That said, it might be a good idea to have Gemma on the bridge instead of down in Engineering. We might need her skills and knowledge more than those of a Chief Engineer for the time being."
"I will go down and let her know," Sarena said as she made her way to the back of the bridge. "In the meantime, and if we run into any sort of trouble, you can call upon Dima to fill in as First Officer. I think she got it way too easy on her first run in charge of the bridge."
"Would you be happy if we had her try the final exam without any preparation whatsoever?" Selene asked, looking back over her shoulder.
"Real life doesn't announce itself," Valentine pointed out. "Just look at what happened to us after being stranded in another dimension or to the Lokustaar. That might be the one and only lesson we all truly need to learn. No matter what we want, what we may do or even try to do, life is random and there are never any certainties."
"I think our ILO is a good example of that," Iverson said.
"True enough," Sarena agreed as she walked away. "That also means that within all that randomness, there is still the hope of something good hiding in there somewhere."
"Sounds like another lesson that we need to hold on to," the Captain said just as the door to the turbolift began to close.
"Maybe," the First Officer nodding her head just as the doors fully closed, ending the discussion right there and then.
---
Jessica Solarik
Captain Selene Fiona Iverson [Access Character BIO for Selene Iverson]
Commanding Officer
USS BASTET
&
Lieutenant Commander Maya [Access Character BIO for Maya]
Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS
"To see the world in a grain of sand,
and a heaven in a wild flower.
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
and eternity in an hour."
- William Blake (British, 1757-1827)