Star Trek: Wings of the Archangel

Greetings,

It has been a very long time since my last post on this awesome forum. However, given the fact that Star Trek is back on the agenda I would like to take this opportunity to let you all know that my Star Trek: Wings of the Archangel RPG is now officially underway. Based on the Last Unicorn Games Icon System (with some considerable house rules), the game, comprised of 15 planned episodes, follows the adventures of the crew of USS Archangel (Sovereign Class vessel, Noble variant) on her maiden voyage set in the year 2390.

This is the 4th season of the outgoing Star Trek campaign based in my own flavour of Star Trek universe (a universe that draws heavily upon the settings of DS9 and TNG with emphasis on realism, adventure, exploration and moral/ethical dilemmas over combat, though it does not shy away from the later). The Archangel is a new ship (some of you may recall that the crew lost their previous vessel, USS Courageous during a heroic rescue of the Federation Council 2.5 years ago game time) and season 4 is the beginning of her voyage.

As the narrator and the creator of the series (that have now been outgoing for the 11+ years, with breaks between seasons) I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the players (old and new) for coming together, creating interesting characters (representing senior officers serving on-board of USS Archangel), offering their assistance and doing their very best in getting this show on the road (I understand some of them visit this forum). As it has been in a past I have asked the group to elect one player per session who's goal is to keep a log of events taking place during an episode, preferably from their character's point of view. This thread is intended on sharing those log entries with you...

Kind Regards
Daniel

Episode 01 - Unstable Environment

Part 1

Mission Log
Lieutenant Turec – Vulcan
Chief of Science, USS Archangel

After spending the first 3 months of the Archangel’s shakedown cruise refitting the Federation’s subspace network, we have received our first formal mission from the captain. The Federation has recently lost contact with an automated mining colony located on Masia 14. The facility was established during the Dominion War and has provided a continuous stream of topeline since its establishment 15 years ago. Since the freighter that services the facility is still some distance from the system, the Archangel has been tasked with investigating the loss of communications. The most logical reason for the loss in communication would be a breakdown in the facility’s automated response systems, however given the isolated nature of the operation, the high worth of the mined compound, and the hostile environment of Masia 14, we are not ruling out any possibilities.

In a meeting attended by myself and the Chief McKenna from Engineering, we were briefed by the Captain on what little is known of the facility and its operations. Masia 14 is the fourteenth moon in a collection of 30 that orbit the gas giant of Masia. The moon itself is classified class V and has a reported ecological system teeming with hostile fauna and wildlife and an environment that would prove deadly to anyone not wearing an environmental suit.
The moon was surveyed at the height of the Dominion War and certain survey and environmental protocols were bypassed because of its rich veins of topeline, a compound used in weapons and armour manufacture. The Federation was forced to compromise on such protocols and now part of our mandate is to review if this facility should be made operational again or if the approach to mining the moon should be adjusted.

Upon reaching the system, the captain deployed our new fighter wing on a reconnaissance mission. The system itself is fascinating, there are a number of anomalies that identify this system as an exception in the evolutionary scale of the universe. The science department continues to work hard to catalogue and analyse the new data we are collecting.

After an initial sweep of the system failed to identify any stellar phenomena or any recent warp signatures, the captain ordered us into orbit, where the engineering department was able to establish communications with a satellite used to relay mining drone operations. A review of the satellite’s logs identified a number of historical situations when communication had been lost with the ground based central drone used to relay instructions to the other mining units. These included periods of heavy volcanic activity or during several extreme tidal episodes, but in each case, operations had resumed within 48 hours of a loss of contact. The last entries, dated two weeks prior to our arrival, did not identify any anomalies and so the captain deployed one of our fighters to perform a low level atmospheric sweep looking for the central drone or any of the remote mining units.

Continued sensor sweeps of the planet had been ineffective due to the high level of ionisation in the atmosphere and it took several patrols for the fighters to finally identify one of the remote mining units in a jungle near the equator of the moon. Unable to establish communication with any of the ground facilities and given that it had taken a large effort to identify the location of any of the units, the captain ordered an away team to inspect this unit, rather than hold out until the central drone could be located.

Having consulted with our Tactical and Security chiefs, I have decided to take an away team composed of myself, Tactical Chief Cr’Huz, Security Chief Meaney, Lieutenant Arroway from Planetary Science, Lieutenant Vaas from Engineering, Ensign Barnes from Security and Ensign Mira for Medical. As we made to depart the ship, we were redirected to the Archangel’s auxiliary craft, a ship that has been dubbed the Sepia by some of the crew. There we were met by the Captain and First Officer where I was informed that the Captain would be accompanying the away team in a purely observer capacity. I officially protested at this action, citing Starfleet Regulations concerning the safe conduct of a ship’s captain, however as I am rapidly learning, our captain does not always follow established protocols. I suspect that if any other departmental chief had been elected to run the mission, the Captain may not have exercised her prerogative, but apparently my recent performance warrants observation. A most curious situation.

Our aerial survey of the mining unit failed to increase sensor resolution and we were required to land the Sepia in a small clearing in the jungle, 200 meters south west of the crashed unit. The unit appears to have sustained damage to its anti gravitational engines and it has crashed in a patch of land straddling the jungle and a nearby beach. Unfortunately the tides were very high during our aerial sweep and a landing on the beach was not possible. We have donned full environmental suits and the security contingent has taken extra weaponry in case we meet any of the reported hostile animals that inhabit this moon.

Upon exciting the shuttle, our tricorders were almost overwhelmed with information on the sheer number of lifeforms present in the jungle. We have observed a long grass that apparently contains electrostatic properties and a 1 meter long termite like creature able to generate a static charge that could have rendered a human unconscious, had it not been for the environmental suits we were wearing. We have also encountered large insectoid and reptilian creatures. The insectoid creatures seemed to perceive our reconnaissance drone as a threat to their hive and in a separate encounter the reptilian creature exhibited aggression towards the large insectoids before employing a chameleon defence mechanism that renders it almost invisible to our Tricorder scans. Lieutenant Arroway requested that the creature be caught and its unique biology analysed but our primary mission is more important and I was eager to press on to the crashed unit. Once we have completed our primary objectives I will have to let the Lieutenant study this ecosphere and its inhabitants in further detail.

As we progressed closer to the crash site we encountered a grove of larger trees that seemed to emanate increased electrical current as we came into closer proximity and Lieutenant Vaas was actually touched by one of the tree roots, before Lieutenant Meaney intervened. It would seem that the lifeform scans did not do this place justice, literally everything teems with life, although there is no evidence of any having developed sentience. Nonetheless I am beginning to consider if the mining operation should be made operational again, clearly there is a severe impact on the natural balance of this moons lifeforms. Upon reaching the crash site we established a defensive perimeter whilst engineer Vaas went to work on the mining unit. Given our encounters in the jungle Lieutenant Cr'Huz felt it pertinent to establish a forcefield generator driven perimeter around the crashed mining unit. Lieutenant Arroway’s has made the startling discovery that the life on this moon has developed from several very different DNA stands, something almost unheard of in the evolution of other planets within the Federation. Most astonishing of all was the discovery that the lifeforms all exhibit RNA strands not native to the moon, implying manufactured species and fauna.

It was as we were assimilating the ramifications of this discovery that the Captain discovered a partially buried artificial armature protruding from under the crashed mining unit and leading down the beach and into the ocean. There is a dark shadow on the ocean floor that our tricorders are now reading as a habitable structure. Our mission mandate has now dramatically changed. It now seems probable that the disabled mining units are a result of another party visiting this planet. Why they have chosen to disable our mining operations, how long they have been present on this world and why they have established their own facility on the ocean floor are questions we required immediate answer to.

To be continued...

Episode 01 - Unstable Environment

Part 2

Mission Log
Lieutenant Turec – Vulcan
Chief of Science, USS Archangel

After discovering the partially buried armature, the captain established a command facility at the site of the crashed mining unit. We have used the last 3 hours to further analyse the mining unit and watch as more of the alien structure has been uncovered by the retreating tides. Tricorder and shipboard scans continue to be inhibited by the high concentration of topeline in this area. Lieutenant Vaas has been unable to recover anything more from the logs in the intervening time, but she has concluded that the energy discharge that disabled the unit carries the same signature as we have witnessed the lifeforms of this moon use as a defensive mechanism. It does seem improbable however, that any of the lifeforms could have generated the required level of charge.

Whilst the Captain has used the intervening time to discuss the situation with the first officer, we have received an additional away team, including additional security personnel and Ensign Thaddeus Guy from my science team, an expert in Xeno archaeology and metallurgical analysis. As we continued to analyse the alien armature, sensor scans from our low flying fighter escort were able to further penetrate the topeline distortion and uncover that the armature is part of a structure measuring at least 5 kilometers in size. Ensign Guy and Lieutenant Cr'Uz have postulated that the structure may indeed be part a space fairing vessel and we have moved to investigate.

By climbing onto the armature we have been able to follow it up to the nearest part of the structure. As we approached, it has been possible to validate our theory and we now believe that the structure may be a crashed generation ship. We have been unable to find any evidence of warp propulsion, however Ensign Guy has been able to date its crash landing to almost 10,000 years ago. We have also been able to ascertain that the structure contains large quantities of topeline. This raises the question of whether the deposits the Federation has been mining are naturally occurring or are more fragments of this vessels super structure. We will have to visit other high concentrations of the compound to determine if they are also remnants of the hull or deposit native to this world.

As we reached the top of the armature we were presented with a wall approximately 30 meters wide by 15 meters tall. Some 20 meters below us our tricorders have detected two spherical sections of the hull that seem devoid of the coral and detritus that we have witnessed on the armature and the other exposed surfaces of this structure. With no way of traversing down to further investigate these points, we have concentrated our search on analysing the wall before us. We set about reviewing the wall, trying to find any form of entrance into the main structure. Our team discovered that on both ends of the wall were two coral covered two recesses. When Lieutenant Cr'Huz placed his hand against the rear of one of these recesses he again felt a feeling of unease that has occurred whenever we have come into contact with the electrical defences of the lifeforms of this planet. This seems to be a curious side effect on his Andorian physiology. Ensign Guy theorised that the recess may be a control panel activated by a similar electrical charge and I have reconfigured a tricorder to emit a similar discharge on an identical frequency.

When the tricorder was inserted into the recess we immediately saw a reaction in the wall and after several seconds a large iris shaped portal appeared. We cautiously entered the structure but as we crossed into a hanger sized room we must have inadvertently triggered some form of intruder alert. The two points we had identified outside on the hull immediately opened and large probes launched into the air. One seemed to take no interest in us, however a second moved towards the iris we had used to enter the ship. The probe appears to have been triggered by the use of my tricorder to scan the ships interior. It attempted to discharge some form of highly focused beam that narrowly missed me and then fired on Lieutenant Vaas. Only the Captain's intervention and personal shield prevented a loss in life. I saw the Captain's shield flare under a massive discharge before both of them were thrown to the floor of the hanger. Liuetenant's Meaney and Cr'Uz are to both be credited for their actions in what happened next.

Lieutenant Meaney was able to communicate to our fighter escorts and the second party at the mining unit that at least one of the drones was incoming. He then provided covering fire whilst Lieutenant Cr'Uz, without regard for his own safety, managed to close the iris whilst we took incoming fire. With the iris closed behind us, we had no time to react before we were set upon by four smaller forms of the drones we had witnessed outside. They appeared from smaller iris's located at the back of the hanger. One of the drones immediately crashed, probably as the result of some malfunction, brought about by extreme age. The remaining three advanced on our position. I attempted to communicate with the probes, to avoid a violent resolution, but it seems likely that the mechanisms are automated, as whoever created them likely perished in the crash. Our personal shields were severely tested during the ensuing fire fight and it was only when our phasers were increased to a lethal setting that we were finally able to overcome and disabled the drones.

We immediately re-grouped and I was relieved to see that both the Captain and Lieutenant Vass were unharmed. Given the situation, I offered command of the away mission to the Captain, however as I am learning she prefers to take a purely observational in this mission. I admit that I find her presence on this mission and her commentary on my performance to be somewhat discomforting.

We discovered at this point that the iris leading out of the structure and our communication to the Archangel have been severed. I am reluctant to attempt now to use any form of electronic device as there is a high probability that it was using our Starfleet technologies that caused this situation. Logic would dictate that as we will now have to venture further into this structure that we try to minimise our electrical outputs, to prevent further unwanted attention.
Ensign Guy has discovered the two iris rooms located at the back of the hanger contained significantly more of the drones that attacked us. They appear to be inert but I am reluctant to do anything more that visually analyse their state.

We have discovered two other iris portals, one of which we have accessed to gain further access to the vessel. The sheer scale of the portals and the corridor we find ourselves in point towards a race of much taller stature. We have explored a small portion of the deck we find ourselves on. We first followed a flooded corridor to an intersection. On the way we observed a creature of some kind swimming in a flooded section below us, probably one of this planets lifeforms that has utilised this hulk as a lair or a feeding ground. At the intersection we have discovered a most perplexing problem. The intersection itself provided five additional routes, South, East, West, Up and Down. Clearly the race that inhabited this ship may well have had wings or some other method to traverse between decks, as we have not been able to identify any form of lift technology, simply a gaping hole leading up or down to other decks. At the present time we find ourselves isolated to this floor, we could perhaps use Lieutenant Meaney's drone to investigate further afield but for now we will explore this level.

Heading East we have come to a elliptical shaped room which we have theorised is some form of containment facility or laboratory. The primary wall in the room may contain a large computer screen, we certainly have observed a large wall with random electrical discharges but the sheer alien nature of what we are seeing makes it impossible to draw any specific conclusions. Also in the room contains what appear to be containment cubicles, but again we have been unable to draw a specific conclusion.

Heading South now we have come upon a cavernous space oval in dimension, approximately 100 meters in length. The surface of the walls seems to be covered in a glass like membrane that point down, like miniature spires towards a walkway we are traversing along. The purpose of this room is unclear and we are again forced to conceive possibilities for its existence. The most popular theories in the group point towards this being some form of storage facility, perhaps even part of the storage reserved for the biological material used in the seeding process of a generation ship. Theories and further analysis will have to wait however, as we have now made the gruesome discovery of a burnt carapace near a damaged section of the walkway in this room. The carapace on first inspection would appear to be 2.5 meters in size, which could point to inhabitants reaching somewhere between 3 and 5 meters in size, if their anatomy is comparable to other species with a carapace of this size known to the Federation.

We must continue our investigation of this vessel, discover why it is that this tomb and its automated response systems have only now attacked our mining units and also identify if this vessel is the reason for the unnatural evolution we are seeing in the ecosphere of this planet. Rescue at this points seems improbable. We must uncover the mysteries of this vessel and find our own way to safety before the tides in this region return and trap us. As I have observed Commander Powell say 'The clock is ticking'

To be continued...

Episode 01 - Unstable Environment

Part 3

Mission Log
Lieutenant Turec – Vulcan
Chief of Science, USS Archangel

Stranded in the heart of this vessel we have made the gruesome discovery of a 2 meter long carapace, that our limited scans conclude may have been one of this vessel’s original crew. The carapace is unusual in that it appears to have been manufactured of refined alloys, implying it is donned by the lifeform for reasons we cannot identify. Although the carapace is fascinating and could be an important clue in uncovering more about this race, we must press on and use our time to find a way to render this ships automated defences inactive and to find a method of escape before the tides in this area return to submerge this vessel.

Exploring further we have made our way to a damaged section of the chamber wall and can now see that the mirrored containers that cover every surface may well have supported life. If much of the ship is like this, then it would certainly validate our current theory that this is a generation ship. Scanning the shards from the damaged containers I have identified that the compounds used go some way towards masking our energy output. I have collected samples for further scientific analysis and I noted that some of the away team took shards either for their own analysis or for the tactical advantage it might provide in this environment. Nearing the rear most section of this chamber we have located a large bulkhead that contains a larger and more fortified door than those we have encountered thusfar. The door itself exhibits extensive mottling and warping on this side. As we approached our environmental suits have registered a steep increase in a manufactured radiation form and we are reluctant to attempt to proceed further in this direction.

Circling back, we have returned to the 6 way junction which acts as a nexus point for this level and to the levels above and below. With no clear way to access other levels, we were about to explore the remaining corridor on this level when we discovered that we were not alone. It would appear that during our exploration of the last chamber something has passed through this junction. A trail of translucent ichor has been left by a creature that has passed through, some of the away team are uncomfortable with the apparent bulk of this creature, which has left 'slime trails' on both the walls and ceiling of the bulkhead as it has passed through. Given the scale of the previous inhabitants of this vessel, it would indicate that this creature is between 2.5 and 3.5 metres in height and approximately as wide. What has disturbed our away team the most is that it would appear that the creature has proceeded in front of us along the only corridor as yet unexplored.

Proceeding cautiously we have moved along the remaining corridor until we have approached another nexus junction like the one we have just left. We approached the junction with extreme caution, discovering a damaged sentinel, similar to the automated units we triggered when first entering the ship. The sentinel lay on the ground at the precipice that divides this junction from the floors above and below. Covered in the same ichor as exhibited on the bulkhead and walls of our path here, there is no doubt that the sentinel was the victim of an attack by the creature that is ahead of us. Entering the junction and evaluating the sentinel proved almost to be mine and Lieutenant Cr'Huz's undoing. We spread out using our number to cover the three other entrances on this level in case the creature returned, but as I approached the position of the damaged sentinel I was fortunate to survive an encounter with the creature, which attacked me from above. The creature moved with astounding speed and accuracy using its appendages and a razor sharp tail to attack our position. I was its immediate target and it used its maw to first cover my helmet in ichor and then to attempt to attack me. Partially blinded I dodged it's first attack whilst Lieutenant Cr'Huz struck the creature with his phaser, and it turned on him. Lieutentant's Meaney and Cr'Huz fired continuous shots, avoiding numerous attacks by the creature before I was able to rally to the Captain and Engineers position and clean my visor sufficiently to take aim.

Lieutentant Vaas used her tricorder to disrupt the creature's predatory senses and the away team combined our firepower to finally fell the beast. The encounter has taught me several important lessons. Firstly never walk into such an apparent trap, the creature lay in way for us, I should have found a way to make it come to us on our own terms. Secondly I must admit that my impression of the creatures abilities was clouded by the initial perception of the 'slug trails' left by it. The perception being that such a creature would be slow moving and resemble those creatures that use ichor as a form of locomotion implied a slowness of motion that was almost my undoing. We moved to examine the remains of the creature and a tricorder scan has identified it to be one of the denizens of the oceans on this world. Lieutentant Vaas moved to recover her tricorder, exclaiming at its condition. This creature finally relented to its wounds after numerous shots from phasers set to a lethal setting. Truly the life on this moon is not to be underestimated.

Having learnt all we can of this location, we set off to explore the other corridors on this level. I have come to the conclusion that there is some form of symmetry to the design of this vessel that defies comprehension and I was somewhat puzzled when we discovered another room of ellipsoid shape housing the same configuration of containment chairs that we had discovered in our earlier exploration of the ship. This time around however, one of the containment chairs contained the remains of one of the ships inhabitants and an intact interface into the ships functions. We immediately set about exploring this interface to see if we could gain access to control of higher functions including deactivation of the sentry systems and identifying a way to exit the vessel. We were unable to find either but through experimentation we did discover that the interface did give us rudimentary access to door systems. After initially sealing ourselves in the chamber we were able to use the interface to unlock all doors, but at the time we are unable to determine if that was on this level only, or all levels on the ship. Lieutenant Cr'Huz made the excellent suggestion of rigging up a remote interface using a tricorder to allow us to lock and unlock sections as we continue to explore. I established the interface using Lieutentant Vaas's tricorder, a piece of equipment that she seemed somewhat attached too. I will never understand the human capacity to feel affection for a piece of equipment and I question if I should have used my own equipment, rather than interfere in the relationship she clearly has with her tricorder. I ended up assuring her that I'd replicate her the newest model upon our safe return to the Archangel.

We returned to the nexus junction. From the floor interfaces we had scanned earlier and our new knowledge of the ships interface we were able to determine a general direction that we had yet to explore. Following a badly damaged corridor we entered a truly cavernous cavity, the result of damaged to several decks of the vessel. The area, which looks like it resembled the storage facility we found near the radiation source, has broken through into a lower storage level. Using a damaged walkway we were able to descend down a level into the storage facility where it would appear we have found the source of the contamination of this moon and the previous inhabitants of this vessel. Exploring we have discovered that this storage facility, which is partially submerged by the currents of the sea, was a receptacle for the life being transported by this vessel. There are tens of thousands of containers along the walls of this area that contained lifeforms exhibiting the same RNA coding we have seen in the unnatural evolution of this planet. The inhabitants may have been entombed when this vessel crashed here, but life has continued. The ocean currents in this area, have transported the particulate matter from this and probably other chambers like this, into the seas, where the stronger alien strains have influenced the natural evolution of this moon. I wonder if it is any consolation to this race that their civilisation has lived on, in some form, in the inhabitants of this moon.

It was as we explored and debated these findings that we finally received aid. Our motion sensors detected Starfleet lifesigns approaching our position and we moved to meet Lieutenant Yarden and her unit of Starfleet Marines who had been able to access the vessel, apparently as a result of us unlocking all door mechanisms from the elliptical room we had encountered earlier. Lieutenant Yarden reported that the larger sentries had been neutralised by our fighter escort, thankfully before any harm could come to the other away team camped at the crashed mining unit. With ocean currents returning we have left the vessel and returned to the beach, where after decontamination we have met aboard our landing craft for a debrief. I attempted to use my time alone with the Captain to impress upon her the undue risk and burden that her accompanying the away mission put upon us all. Apparently this was not received favourably and I received some dressing down for even mentioning the subject. I doubt I will ever fully understand the emotional needs that motivate my new captain.

Misson Log Supplemental

We have remained in orbit for two weeks now, using our time to conclude our findings to Starfleet and the Federation Science Council. Long range probes findings of this area of space have discovered a system destroyed by a supernova. Maybe the inhabitants of this vessel originated in that system. It will now fall to the USS Baikonur, a Nebula Class science vessel that has been dispatched to this system to continue the exploration of this site. The Baikonur is better equipped for the longer term exploration of this site but I confess that I am disappointed to be not leading the exploration of this site myself. I predict that there are still numerous discovered to be made...

End of Episode 01

Episode 02 - Timeless Angel

Part 1

Mission Log
Lieutenant Ayreon Cr’Huz – Andorian
Chief of Tactical, USS Archangel

I awoke with a splitting headache, and my body is freezing. I am numb, disorientated and lethargic.
I look up and I’m in a mess hall. Several of the screens are shut and the room is illuminated by a strange red glow, I surmise that life support is down, or on minimum we are exposed to cold dead space, I drift in and out of consciousness. How did I get here, and were is here? My memory starts to return.

(40 hours earlier)
Saturay, 18:00 hrs. : Officer’s Dining Mess, USS Archangel

I’m having a meal with Lt’s Turec & Meaney, we are being served by a very nervous Cadet.
Apparently he had an embarrassing encounter with the captain some time ago and is doing penance.
Our thoughts and conversation mainly concern our recent mission and our new mission several days ago we were relieved by the USS Baikonur as they continue to monitor the “alien ship” and prepare for our “slipstream experiment”.

Our conversation temporarily shifts to my impending meal I am to prepare (every Sunday at 18:00 a senior officer prepares a meal for their fellow officers) tomorrow I am preparing Andorian Narath (similar to the Terran Sheep) spit roasted with baked Andorian Tuba’s. After our meal we each drift off to follow our own pursuits, my self was an intensive training session with my Chaka.

Sunday, 18:00 hrs. : Officers Mess, USS Archangel

My dinner was a success even the prominent vegetarians of the crew complimented on the execution and perfection of the meal (a quiet thanks to my long gone mother for that one)

Monday, 12:00 hrs. : Bridge, USS Archangel

Commander Powell has tested the capacitors, all other checks are done and rechecked, tactical has re-checked sensors and has initiated an emergency reboot in case we drop out and need to reinstate systems. USS Baikonur has moved aside to monitor our slipstream passage, and course is plotted to avoid any gravitational anomalies.

The slipstream rift is powered up and reading stable, with a nod from the captain Lt Turec quotes an early Terran film and says “To infinity and beyond”

Monday, 14:00 hrs. : USS Archangel

We have been travelling for about 2 hours when Lt Turec informs us of an emerging issue, the bridge jumps into actions as scans and data is analysed. Secondary deflector array is showing a build-up of exotic particles. The sensors are detecting chronometric particles. The build-up is growing externally in a nebula we are approaching.
Commander Powell works to disperse the particles...

Monday, 14:00 hrs. : Unkown???

I awoke with a splitting headache, and my body is freezing. I am numb, disorientated and lethargic.
I look up and I’m in a mess hall. Several of the screens are shut and the room is illuminated by a strange red glow, I surmise that life support is down, or on minimum we are exposed to cold dead space, I drift in and out of consciousness. How did I get here, and were is here? My memory starts to return.

I manage to lift my head and look around the unknown Mess Hall, I observe several dead Starfleet personnel, and they are wearing uniforms that are out of date. The dead bodies are wearing security uniforms and it appears they were shot by lethal energy weapons, I hear movement and noise I try to move and take cover, I find a light source and it’s Lt Meaney. After he gathers his marbles he is convinced this is a Galaxy Class vessel. Lt Turec sounds off near the kitchen, we slowly move to each other and examine our surroundings, there is more dead personnel, they suffered the same fate.
Moving to the alcove we discover we are on board the USS Archangel, Our ship!!! But this one is the A! The Archangel (NCC-7616-A ) distinguished itself during the Dominion war – lost during heavy fighting in the Rolor Nebula during Kalandra campaign.

Therefore it is clear that the wounds we examined on the fallen personnel have been caused by Polaron Rifles the Jem Hadar’s weapon of choice during the Dominion War. We take cover in the kitchen consider our options, lay out our battle plans and arm ourselves with kitchen knives, an engineering kit, and a bad attitude! We investigate the LCARS interface which tells us that the Archangel has been disabled, before the time during which she has managed to send the signal to warn the Federation taskforce of the famous Jem Hadar ambush. We decide to leave Ten Forward, explore the ship and try to find any survivors.

We move out into the corridor and see the scars of combat, there are burn marks on the walls, the intruder alert has been enabled and the emergency lighting is on, gladly it is also warmer in here too. Sadly we come across bodies of two more crew members (Marines) they are still warm so the enemy must be near. Adjacent to a Jefferies tube entry, we wished we had an engineer and a good kit then we could by-pass the locks and move about unhindered, I decide to activate their communicator.

“...this is Lt Cr’Huz” replied to with “Thank goodness Lieutenant. We’re progressing with our mission.”
I get a funny feeling about the response so I give a false location “We’re on deck 30 section 12”
At this stage not knowing who was on the other end we decide to maintain silence and continue along the corridor.
We approach an intersection and I peer around the corner the Jem Hadar!

I quickly withdraw and we draw plans to fox him out, Lt Turec runs past the intersecting corridor and throws the case at him, carefully peering around the corridor corner again the Jem Hadar seems to have disappeared. We re-group and decide to make our way down hall way as I approach the doorway I am shot at close quarters my leg is hit I’m down this is not good!

To my surprise both Lt Turec and Lt Meaney move to take on the lone warrior, they only have knives and he has a rifle the odds are low! After a near miss the Jem Hadar receives a solid hit to the chest. A vicious melee ensures and he is finally overcome by a nerve pinch from Lt Turec and a knife to the heart from Lt Meaney.

I am helped to my feet and we approach the door, upon opening it we see a live crew member tied to a chair a Bolian Ensign (Engineering) she motioned with her eyes that there is something to her left, Lt Meaney now armed with a Polaron Rifle takes no chances and pops around the corner and unloads a burst into the alcove. The body of another Jem Hadar warrior slumps to the ground (at this stage I would take the opportunity to recommend both Lt Turec and Lt Meaney for bravery under fire). The Ensign’s name is Delianii, after a short exchange and little trust from both sides she is persuaded to take us to her commanding officer. We travel back with her to the Jefferies tube, were she administers last rites to her dead colleagues. We argue the bodies should be left as is, so as not to give away our passing. But the situation is tense so we let her have her grief. What follows would be a great tour of a Galaxy class through the Jefferies tubes, we double back and obscure our way so as not to leave much trail.

Finally we arrive onto deck 30, with Phasers pointed at our heads and two rifles between us, and myself in no condition to fight we cede the day and follow with the orders given we emerge into the corridor I notice a fellow Andorian (must make note to make his acquaintance) and we are introduced Commander Isoto who is the ranking officer. Again I try to bluff our reason for our presence but alas we are not believed so we decide to come clean on the whole situation.

I now find myself in a makeshift medical bay writing this log, with few things on my mind:
Firstly do we/are we the ones who send the warning message to Starfleet – if so does that bring into effect the grandfather paradox. Secondly I now have the opportunity to warn my parents about our colony failing, and therefore saving their lives. And finally I understand that our current Captain served on this ship in the past! Is she here now?

To be continued...

Episode 02 - Timeless Angel

Part 2

Mission Log
Lieutenant Ayreon Cr’Huz – Andorian
Chief of Tactical, USS Archangel

I find myself sitting on a makeshift stretcher considering my thoughts, when I am interrupted by a summons to meet with the commander.

We are formally introduced to the Betaziod Commander Lon Isoto (Security) his command post is in the Engineering itself and many of the small cubicles are now taken over by more militaristic endeavours. In short we explain our arrival and how we came to be on board of his ship, to my dismay it also seems a Romulan sub-commander by the name of Tomek is also present on-board and serving as an advisor/exchange officer to the old captain and the crew (history notes that Romulan Star Empire joined the Federation & Klingon Empire in the war against the Dominion while in our present the Federation and Romulan Star Empire are at war).

We discuss their situation, they have lost contact with the bridge, and fear the Captain (their captain, not ours) is dead. The warp core seems to be intact however they do not currently have access to the command protocols, war nacelles or the shuttle bays, and after many hypothesis including my suggestion that we separate from the saucer section we decide as a group to work together and achieve the objective of re-taking the ship.

In a private conversation we discuss the Temporal Prime Directive, we decide to assist and help the crew to complete the ship's mission, furthermore we agree to not disclose any information about future events or situations that could change the course of the history, my mind weights heavy with thoughts of my parents and of knowledge we have of the outcome of the mission as well as how will we get home, if we are going to go home that is. I think at this stage Lt Turec tries to settle us with the notion of time rebounding and correcting itself, I am not convinced and our conversation is cut short with the rallying call to battle, we must now draw plans for what comes next.

The first port of call in the plan to liberate the armoury and we are given a three man squad each, accompanying us is sergeant Idip, Andorian marine, his intimate knowledge of the ship and Jem Hadar tactics will be indispensable and from whom I was lucky enough to obtain a Chaka, we are set for war!

As we set of for battle many words were spoken some sombre, some invigorating. Myself I instilled some vigour into my team by declaring that we “Waiting at the breach, on the verge of claiming honour and distinction” I only hope my spirits and eagerness soak into the already battle weary men and women, and hope it steers them onto victory!

After some back tracking through the Jefferies tubes (incidentally the way we came down) we arrive on deck 25, to change the entry point. There is no lighting here and only the occasional somewhat dim “Red Alert”, there is little signs of fighting here, the deck seems to be holding the atmosphere and is nowhere near as cold as Ten Forward was.

Sgt Idip check the Jefferies tube we are about to enter, he booby trapped it earlier and it is still untempered or triggered. It would seem this deck is not occupied or patrolled. Lt Meany has point with his squad, with Lt Turec taking the middle, and my team and I taking the rear guard. We patrol up a corridor and my senses tingle, I look to Sgt Idip and he seems to have sensed something as well. I am not sure but I’m positive I heard a door up ahead and to the left open, or close and if I’m not mistaken I can hear the hull buckling somewhere above me!

We move forward with caution and approach an intersection where we discover a Jem Hadar standing guard at a central location. Then all hell breaks loose as two of our men break silence and open fire on two Jem Hadar guards patrolling round the corner ahead of us! Luckily for us the two that approach us are carrying Glaives, however the one sentry we observed earlier does have a Polaron Rifle. In the fire fight that ensures Lt Meaney is hit and unfortunately one of his men is killed while another badly wounded. Thankfully we dispatch all three Jem Hadar with no further casualties. Glory is ours! I take a Glaive as a prize.

We continue our Trek and enter the Jefferies tube and make our way to deck 20. We are now nearing our objective, we emerge onto the deck to find it fully lit, the “Intruder Alert” is sounding every 10 seconds. Life support is working but we can smell the remnants of smoke and realise there was a battle here only recently moving out of the Jefferies tubes the wounded Lt Meaney scouts ahead and returns reporting that there are two Jem Hadar standing guard they have their backs to us. At this stage we also notice several force fields in activation. Who activated them friend or foe?

We devise a plan of attack and take up positions to create a kill zone , we also surmise there might be more Jem Hadar unseen as yet so we are cautious! Using the two Polaron Rifles we have we open fire it is a short and deadly exchange and after both Jem Hadar fall dead! Cautiously we move to cover the armoury door and notice another Jem Hadar dead on the ground, not our handiwork, he is lying in a pool of some sort of liquid.

Our first priority is the armoury and as we approach we hear the familiar sounds of force fields being de-activated and the words “I would not do that if I were you...” and are soon in the company of some of the ships marines. After declaring our allegiance we are greeted by them. Sgt Idip recognises them and vouches for us. The door to the armoury opens and out walks the captain. Our Captain! We are very happy to see her familiar face, though she looks like she has been through hell and back....

We exchange our tales and glories, and lamented on our losses. We can look forward to a boost to our resolve now... our mission is looking much more positive now!

To be continued...

Episode 02 - Timeless Angel

Part 3

Mission Log
Lieutenant Ayreon Cr’Huz – Andorian
Chief of Tactical, USS Archangel

“I am feeling uneasy about my current situation, with so many thoughts clouding my mind, and leading me to moments of questioning our “Directives” my parents are still alive right now, they will die in a few short years due to an accident that results in the destruction of my home colony – should I throw it in and leave so as to save them? How can I save them when I’m stuck on this busted up ship, floating in a nebula, surrounded by Jem Hadar task force!”

“This Temporal Directive, I can’t get my head around it “We can do good things now!” I mean we might not get home! What are they going to lock us up so we can’t “corrupt” the timeline? Heck I would be happy to corrupt it if it meant my parents would survive. We know the Romulans aren’t to be trusted and neither are the Klingons. Why don’t we just wipe both these troublesome races out now when we have the chance! Let’s lay the foundations now for a prosperous Federation!”

(from Narrator’s perspective the above are considered to be private thoughts of a wounded and very stressed Starfleet officer who quite possibly finds himself in no win situation)

My thoughts clear and now I’m back in the here and now, I look to my companions and it is clear they are consumed as I am with similar quandaries. I try to talk to Meaney but his answers are short, he is quiet and I notice he is shaking. Turec is likewise silent probably in some sort of trance of calculation considering our position and the risks we face.

The general mood seems good and the happiness and jubilation that we were greeted with upon our return has not waned, though the marines and in fact our captain still seem to collect the most accolades (perhaps the survivors like to see their ranks swell, perhaps it’s the Ketracel White necklaces in the possessions of the new arrivals). It is only Isoto who seems to hold back slightly and appears cautious around our captain (after all they served together in the past). However the victory is a boost to morale and the mood certainly is a different one to when we left.

After a short de-brief and the compulsory doctor scans we are free to mingle and the crew resumes their preparations with a heightened mood. I find Idip my Andorian brother and a human corporal Hicks. We sit and talk about the war, the future, Andoria, rations (note when we get home… if we get home… that rations are disgusting even back here and I will make a complaint to Starfleet).

Idip asks me if I can give him some future tips, which I have to decline, however I do suggest we play a round or two of cards to pass some time, “Delanii has a deck” he replies. I approach her and borrow it, and soon find myself back in the company of the warriors and the game is afoot.

Myself I ante up my Jem Hadar Glaive, Idip the Polaron Pistol, and Hicks offers two Ketracel White sticks. After several rounds and much excitement it seems that fate and fortune are with me today and I come away with the spoils, I promise Idip and Hicks a return game with further swagger and booty and some tips on the future after our mission is completed. It seems that people are now gathering and our next task is soon upon us.

I notice that Turec and Polanski are locked in an in depth conversation and I sense Turec is bending her ear as to our actions and their effect and what we do while we are here.

We are soon called to a tactical meeting Isoto, Polanski, Vera, and Myself devise the preamble to attack. It is brief and just outlines our plans and responsibilities, this is followed by a science meeting with the four of us from the new Archangel. Turec has been monitoring the chronometric particles and is alarmed at the way they are falling… He has discovered that we may possibly not have enough time left to complete the mission!

(at this point I noticed my log references to Lt Turec contain certain emotive prefixes and suffixes. Please understand I included them as to make the flow of this log more readable and Andorian and in no way reflect our Vulcan friend has lost control over his emotions… hahaha)

We are to assault and secure the bridge. From there we can take control of the ship, re-establish contact with all decks and cordon off any surviving Jem Hadar that may still be roaming around. Furthermore we can then assess the damage and the viability of the ship and draw a course to complete this historic mission.

We plan to time a turbo lift arrival to the bridge just prior to our arrival through the Jefferies tubes, it will contain the bodies of killed Jem Hadar. This should throw the defending force into disarray and give us an edge if we can move fast enough. Polanski declares that she will lead the assault, however it would seem that Isoto have other ideas and after a heated, though private “discussion” she defers to his judgement (apparently unwilling to pull the rank at this time) and it is decided that the captain will lead the second support squad on our flank while Vera will be in charge of securing Tactical resources and Isoto will remain in the engineering ensuring the security of that critical resource. Delanii starts to override any doors we need opened or closed.

The crew is abuzz and the mood is one of hope and excitement we make our way through many Jefferies tubes and finally emerge on the bridge deck. We find ourselves in officer’s mess hall.
The door I’m assigned to opens and there is a Jem-Hadar standing close by, he seems startled and I take the opportunity and lunge at him with my Chaka, he snaps back to and manages to block, ripostes and wounds me. Sub Commander Tomek aims his disruptor and shoots him in the face, the combat grows as we assault the occupying forces with losses on both sides. Idip gets hit and I move to assist him and take the assaulting Jem Hadar down. We carry on but I am hit again – I don’t know where from. I see Idip still in trouble I rush to my Andorian brother to assist as the doctor is there offering first aid. A bright flash and I’m knocked off my feet, when my eyes recover and the smoke clears it would seem that the Jem Hadar are carrying plasma grenades. Idip and the doctor are now dead. I remember this sensation from serving on the line re-gather my thoughts. The mission must be completed and yes I will have time to grieve later now is the time for revenge.

I race back to the group with the ill news. Delanii is very upset, we all are, but this is war, we press on, we turn a corner it is quiet and seems clear. We have cleared a path to the bridge only one more door and our goal is within reach. Meaney’s fire team takes point when suddenly one of his team members is maimed by heavy Polaron blast, Meaney edges back but is also shot and it appears he is vaporised by the next charge. I find a plasma grenade on a close by dead Jem Hadar and Turec throws it around the corner a few seconds later we hear an explosion and force fields drop as a heavy Polaron Turret and engulfed by plasma fire and silenced.

We are at the door and Delanii moves up to it. It’s jammed, broken possibly from the Polaron blasts or plasma fire we move to the second bridge door and she unlocks it. With the first one now unlocked there is only the secondary door left on the other side is the bridge, our goal, and the enemy.

It is time to signal for the diversionary turbo lift. Tomek and I move to cover a corridor entrance while we all gather and ready for the breech. The side doors open and Jem-Hadar open fire in a last desperate charge. Shots are exchanged some of our men are hit, but so are the Jem-Hadar. We storm the bridge, the turbo lift arrives. I turn around and see The First Jem Hadar, he fires I try to dodge and fire back but I am hit the Polaron shot burns through my shield, there is a flash and………………………

(it is worth noting that the characters have modified their personal shields to slow down the decay of chronometric particles to prevent from being subjected to the secondary event ahead of time, upon their personal shields expiring the decay of chronometric particles completed uninterrupted and they were returned to the correct timeline… though some returned critically wounded).

End of Episode 02

Episode 03 – Rules of Acquisition

Part 1

Mission Log
Lieutenant Patrick X. Meaney – Human
Chief of Security, USS Archangel

...Start recording...

I knew it was coming, but I didn't expect it was going to be this bad. It was a witch hunt rather than any investigation. The Lieutenant Commander in question has a serious axe to grind, maybe it's with the Captain, or another officer. I hope his stay in the brig clears his mind, arguing with the captain of a star ship is never a good idea.

If I thought that was a bad start to the day, the rest was worse. Firstly the loss of one of the fighters from our wing to a heavily armed, and rather ornate, Ferengi transport. If my last encounter was anything to go by, I'd sooner trust a Romulan or Breen to work in the best interests of the Federation. It was good seeing the latinum on Ferengi’s ship floating off into space.

After that, I expected more resistance to any sort of inspection, after all this was not the standard ship, heavier armour, extra shields that jammed our sensors. I must admit I was really surprised they fired at the Archangel, I could understand that it if I was still on the Drake, or back on the Yamamoto, but not the Archangel.

The stupidity seems to have only built up from there. The usual attempts at bribery were offered, and the usual deflects. I expected the dilithium not being correctly marked, but I did not expect the container of disruptors. I should see if I can track the producer, I have a feeling with some of the other contraband that the weapons are Romulan in make, if not origin. The ale is not as much a problem, just as the other custom made items as far as the initial sweep revealed, all depends on where they're destined. As long as it's not the Federation I have to let it go. The other note of interest, and major concern, was the bio-mimetic gel in the starboard cargo bay.

In addition to the Klingon presence aboard there's a lot more questions than I had before. Add to the mix a Breen, my Dominion War history is pretty good, and the Treaty of Bajor was pretty specific about the Breen presence in Federation borders. It's another way to track the down the individual in question, and build up some history. This could open a can of gagh, if some possible leads turn out to be as positive

The worst part was the loss of one of our pilots. If the above was a can of gagh, this is an endless container of them. I feel sorry for the family, it's hard enough just being wounded, let alone losing someone. I know we'll have a chance to give the pilot a proper send off, but I doubt that means much to the people back home. I didn't think I would get used to it, maybe it is the fact that I just survived myself. I know I should really speak to a councillor about it, but how do you explain the fact you danced so close to death, yet to come back from the brink unchanged is just as worrying.

...Pause recording...

To be continued...

Episode 03 – Rules of Acquisition

Part 2

Mission Log
Lieutenant Patrick X. Meaney – Human
Chief of Security, USS Archangel

...Continue recording...

Next time Carla says I need a fortnight of light duties, I'll listen to her. I didn't think the lung would still be playing up. It will also be the first and only time I see a Razor cat. They are three times as ugly, and four times as vicious, for a trained creature. I still wonder what happened to the tamer, there must be some extra passages we didn't get it the initial scans. I will also remember to carry a knife, bringing a phaser to knife fight is never a good idea, and that's another scar, if not for auto sutures and dermal regenerators.

Areli Yarden is quite the fighter. I've not seen such a constructive use for a helmet in a long time. Even then I shouldn't be surprised it took a beating, having a close encounter with a Nausicaan who's part Glaswegian is something else. I swear it took hours for things to stop ringing. It didn't help the fact that some of the crew did try to get away. I still can't believe they tried it with the Archangel. The amount of weapons she has, let alone the fact she is a fleet’s flagship, and quite heavily armoured on top of that. When the engine was taken out, that was something I never want to be on the wrong end of, same goes for Areli's helmet.

I don't know what to think of the situation. I don't want to believe the Ferengi captain, on the other hand I find it so very, very believable that a first officer would try and get extra value of out his trip, without sharing. All for profit according to those damned silly rules. I really should let what happened go in the past, but Mowarr and his brothers almost got run out of Starfleet. If there's anything I can't forget, it's that. I owe Aiden and Polanski a lot with having the record I do.

Back to the Ferengi, I wouldn't be surprised if the first officer, Nyx, was behind the worst of the illegal cargo. I didn't think that I would be able to pick up a Ferengi lie like that. I had problems with it a long time back when I was wearing a single pip. I don't know if I have just because too suspicious, or it was the lessons I learned along the way. The rest of it, Lt Bronson did a good job when it came to the cargo. I expected her to be tough, and she was. Next time I should try and be a bit more active when it comes to the clean up. She deserved more respect than what she got, but after the loss of one of the fighter wing, I want this case to be vacuum sealed and hold an atmosphere better than a star ship. I want to see the being who ordered the attack on our fighters locked up for a very, very long time. If it's a Ferengi, it's a shame they don't use the death penalty anymore. There is no justice for what they took. Something I should speak to Aiden about, I know that he's had to see a few new pilots into established squadrons. It's not my area, but I don't want to see anything permanent end up on a person's record. Maybe since I have the bad record I'm so relaxed about some infractions.

I'm not a fan of the scuttlebutt that occupies any ship, but the rumours coming out of the crew about a trip into the Beta quadrant is something that I don't mind. I wonder if we'll pass by the Yamamoto, it would be good to see Aiden and the old crew again. I wonder if the weekly poker match still runs, same goes for the crew running the library. I should see if I can start something like that here. Especially since Sara should have a lot to add to the music collection. Ever since the Archangel Event, or whatever TI wants to call it, I have to wonder about what Sara is thinking. I know the last tour had been a little difficult, what the coup attempt and the current engagement with the Romulans, this is the second time off the top of my head we've been at war with them. I wonder what they'll call it down the years, and what agreements will be made after it. We don't need cloaking devices, but one more tool in the box is always a good thing from my point of view. Options keep people alive…

If the trip to the Beta quadrant is true, then I wonder if there's a chance we'll run into some other of my old ships. I wonder what the Bluebell and Drake are up to. If we are heading to the Beta quadrant, my guess is it's the Federation-Klingon border, and that means I will have to brush up on my hand to hand. Might be a good time to run through the Curse of Marduk if I can, it should give me an opportunity to brush up on my knife and sword work. Add to that I need to work out what to give Sara as a welcome aboard present, should she still want to spend time aboard. Add to that some basic research on Klingons, and their honour. I have a feeling my medical record will look like my service record.

...End of recording...

End of Episode 03

Episode 03 – Rules of Acquisition

Supplementary Log
Ensign Yoto – Human
Security Officer, USS Archangel

On a Ferengi merchant ship in a cargo hold, standing next to a medical container, containing biomimetic gel labelled as “Food Stuff” with Lt Meaney, Lt Turec, Ferengi officer Nyx and some Nausicaans.

That Lt Meaney opens his mouth and puts us in it!
Lt Meaney: “We are seizing the ship…” and “…it will be towed to the nearest starbase…”
Officer Nyx: “You won’t be taking my cargo…”

With that he motions to his Nausicann comrade who presses a button on his comms and the alarm sounds. Lt Meaney seems lost for breath, Lt Turec adds that “…exposure to the biomimetic gel could lead to death or disfigurement”. I try to calm the situation and say “…and also a fire fight in such close proximity to your cargo could result in damage and/or destruction of your goods and in the end reduce your profits…”

With that Nyx moves away from the container, and the Nausicaan rushes at Lt Meaney, he dodges and tries to shoot but misses the attacker. The Nausicaan then stabs Meaney. Moments later Lt Turec tries to nerve pinch the Nausicaan with little success of effect to begin with. With no other orders issued I decide I should pursue the escaping Ferengi!

Lt Meaney fires again at the Nausicaan, this time he hits and the Nausicaan drops to the ground. I’m still looking for Nyx he is hiding amongst the large cargo crates. Suddenly the ship lurches and we start to move. I finally find Nyx against a crate and proceed to pacify him but unfortunately Lt Meaney has escalated the situation.

I feel a shock of explosion and the ship comes to a violent halt (Archangel must have fired upon her) as Nyx steadies himself against a crate I take the opportunity to grab him by the lobes but with little success as another explosion rocks the ship. A blood curdling howl is heard and Lt Turec fires at its source, there is something wild and angry here with us and I do not know what it is.

I place my phaser at the nape of Nyx’s neck and say “stop all hostility’s now”. He replies “I can’t I don’t control the Nausicaans”. Meanwhile Lt Meaney and Turec both shoot at what appears to be a large and very angry Nausicaan razor cat, those brutes actually keep things like this for pets? Both of them hit the creature and it collapses onto the deck.

Nyx is shouting into his communicator “STOP STOP STOP”, desperately trying to control the situation. I drag Nyx and move back into contact with the rest of the team. Lt Meaney asks for an update and orders over his comm, Nyx is still trying to call of the attack but it seems that this little Ferengi has been abandoned or ignored by his companions “No honour amongst thieves “ it would seem.

We move as a group to the main cargo door and Lt Turec works on the door, I await further orders while securing Nyx as Lt Meaney continues his search for the animal’s handler. The door opens and we are greeted by a scene of carnage, a violent battle has taken place between this ship’s security team and Lt Yarden marine’s detachment. She has her helmet in her hand she has been using it to bludgeon a particularly resilient Nausicaan. There are bodies of enemy team littering the floor, Vass has an injury to the head. We re-join marines and proceed to the landing bay…

End of Episode 03

Supplementary Log for Episode 03 (Rules of Acquisition) as well as the third and final part of Episode 02 (Timeless Angel) have now been posted.

This brings this thread up to date with the current in game developments.
The next episode (Episode 04 – Old Friends) is due on 14th of May.

Thank you for reading so far…
Kind Regards

Episode 04 – Old Friends

Part 1

Mission Log
Lieutenant Patrick X. Meaney – Human
Chief of Security, USS Archangel

...Start of record...

Orders from the Fleet Admiral Nechayev, would have to be a first in my career, then again, Archangel is her flag ship and Polanski her flag captain, some direct interaction is to be expected. Orders are to advance into the Klingon Neutral Zone (or what is left of it) and work out what is a Klingon task force during in the Minia system. Right now it looks like they're orbiting an M class moon, Minia 21.

Reports I've read of the moon suggest that it is a mineral rich, though environmentally hostile world, and it just so happens it sits on our side of the Neutral Zone. Still it's good to be heading into a more familiar space and I do find myself anticipating the rendezvous with the Starfleet supply ship with Sara on board. I have to work out what I'll give her as a welcome aboard present.

The mission briefing itself was interesting, more so than the orders from the fleet command, with the Ivanhoe and Tempest with us, running silent in our wake, two extra sets of eyes, ears and phaser arrays while we're in the sector will be a very good thing. Not to mention that they come outfitted with the same stealth systems as the Klingons do. We should have a surprise or two waiting for them regardless of how the things will turn out. The presence of a Negh'Var class ship, the Sto'vo'kor, makes me wish I spent some time at the Advanced Tactical School. I've heard her weapon systems have issues with very short range engagements, perfect for our two Defiant class escorts. However one should note that something like Sto'vo'kor does not travel alone, so just because we did not detect anything else, it does not mean it’s not there.

The commanding officer is something I wish I had more time to look into, Lieutenant General K'Vart a fearsome Klingon warrior by any standard have served sometime in the past on-board the Artemis, Akira class as an exchange officer. I know that class well. She might not be the Yamamoto, but she was still a good ship by reputation. That should be the start of a good few conversations should we manage a diplomatic engagements. Of course with Klingon diplomacy there always is the possibility of violence, so I hope those specialists in my department can keep up. With the sessions run between myself and Ayreon, I think all of us are as ready as we can be. I hope I don't need the practise…

NGC 2654 was a system that I remember seeing on a few starmaps a while back, but never expected to visit. I'm hardly an astrophysics expert, but it was rather unusual. To best of my knowledge and understanding it has a star that got hit by something exotic, causing one hell of a blast, expanding its size and output considerably and turning a Jupiter type gas giant into a second star in the process. Still a giant for the primary and the abundance of asteroid belt being all that is left of the other planets is a sight to behold. Maybe on the return trip I could suggest to Turec that more upgrades could be performed to the monitoring station in system. Between the little time we had, and the tracking exercise, I'm sure he wouldn't mind a return visit.

I don't mind the idea of a tracking exercise. Anything to give us extra skills to deal with the Klingons, call them out on being sneaky, as long as it helps us. I must admit I would not have bet on the result though… a mutually assured destruction. Good shooting from Tactical on that side, caught the Tempest split second after she got her own shot off. I wonder if there was another option. The deception idea was damned smart, but too defensive for my taste. I prefer active measures, perhaps it is time to get a few manuals on starship tactics. I wonder if the library goes back to the days of wet navy, they might have some tricks that could be adapted in modern combat.

If I thought I would need to see a councillor after the Archangel Time Event, then the little game of chicken the Captain played with K'Vart would be a reason for extra session (or two). I was surprised anyone on the bridge kept their cool, except for Turec of course. From him I'm yet to see anything other than an eyebrow raised. I was actually sweating before the Klingon party beamed over. I don't think getting the bayonet I took from the Polaron rifle won me many friends, but then again…

I really should have picked up on the whole thing before the transporter room events. I knew that the Captain spend time in the Intelligence, and what little I could dig up on the General while vague, told me enough, I just missed connecting the critical dots. Considering familiarity between K'Vart and Polanski, I think the next few days are going to be very interesting, and I will have to make sure that my dress uniform stays in a good condition. I wonder if, given the circumstances, the dress policy might include swords, old wet navies used to have officer swords.

K'Vart is someone I wouldn't mind knowing better. For a Klingon he seems to be good natured. I'm not sure an arm wrestle is a good place to start (I do value my arm), but as I know, they respect strength and being upfront about your views. I think I did that enough when he and his party beamed over. He's got quite an interesting group, his Chief of Staff, Captain Mar'Keth, seems to be a traditionalist. Commander Teanera though is going to be an interesting dinner companion. She's the combined Security and Tactical officer. I almost look forward to a good sparring session with her, she promises to be quite the knife fighter. I have to wonder about her ancestry though, I see some Orion in her. It's an odd combination, and I have to wonder if the Orion ancestor had much say in the matter. If what K'Vart says is true, discussing the subject should not be attempted if one wants a long, prosperous life.

Maybe knives might work, for a spit roast, something between Klingon and Federation, like what the Captain wanted.

--- Door chime ---

I will have to finish this later.

...Pause recording...

To be continued...

Episode 04 – Old Friends

Part 2

Mission Log
Lieutenant Patrick X. Meaney – Human
Chief of Security, USS Archangel

...Continue recording...

If I thought it would have been one of those days I would have asked for some leave. It makes perfect sense, for a Klingon. Then again I like the idea we have a serious technology edge over them. The exchange of salvos was quite possibly equivalent to a decent handshake by their standards, easily misunderstood by those with no real experience with their kind. The return salvo from the Sto'vo'kor was nowhere near as impressive as their shields under the barrage our forward phaser banks. That was a sight to warm the heart of many a starship captain, or someone who wants the role.

The Klingon dinner was something else. I'm glad I had that booster to deal with the dinner. The night was relaxed, again, by Klingon standards. Some of the food was pretty good, that salamander, newt, the really flammable thing, I can't wrap my tongue around the name, was good. So was the gagh, at least the type of gagh they had on the night. I'm not sure I could stand the stuff still wriggling as it went down. Bloodwine is another thing that I underrated, but I think I'll keep it to the diplomatic dinners. It's not the easiest drink going down.

All in all, the dinner was going well, until a Vulcan challenged a Klingon, perhaps a member of the Council, to a contest. It must be the food, or the drink, Turec did break out the finest of the ship after all. Either way, a challenge to a targ hunt for the right to mine Minia 21. I suppose there is logic to the action, I've not seen a Vulcan act without some sort of plan, especially if it is their logic. I suppose it was the best way to make the Klingon's honour the result, especially if we won. Their terms, their rules, if the outcome is in our favour, we have shown that we are worthy of it. If they win, all the better for them. I shouldn't feel this, but it was damned good showing up Mar’Keth, but more on that later.

The moon itself was a pretty nasty place. Grey snow, ash like, with those fungus stack forests, not the best place for a targ, and definitely not the best place for any humanoid. I'm going to feel odd saying this, but I am actually grateful for the biosynthetic lung. That thing made the place a lot easier on me. With the targ hunt, it was a mix of senior officers and RRT. I think the RRT troopers liked the outing. It was weird, and presented something that was close to the surface of Andoria in terms of nastiness. The bait worked a treat on the first one, and Turec is one hell of an archer. Perhaps he'll be interested in a William Tell or Robin Hood holonovel.

The second was tougher. Tracking it was easy enough in the snow, and Aryeon seemed to be almost at home. What I didn't expect was the wild life. The "Miniature Snow Raptors" (a name of my own design) were to be expected I suppose. I'm no expert on fauna, flora, I don't even know what to call it, but they're the midlevel pack predator. Wolf like, seem to work a mix of bipedal and quadruped. The top level predator was a crab like creature, I still don't know how to define it. Moss like growths on its back makes it look a smaller version of the fungus stacks. Pretty thick shell as well, it took some effort to hack through it. Ambush predator is a given, what with the tail. Damned sharp spikes, I don't know if they are poisonous, might just be anaphylaxis to those of who didn't grow up on the planet with the same amino acids, I think. Either way Mar'Keth was in a pretty bad state. It didn't take long to kill it, with Teanera and another warrior at the mouth, Aryeon and myself digging through the outer shell. Not much can stop that.

I didn't think I could have done what Teanera did, that knife throw was spot on. If only I had asked for some tips. Splitting the heart like that made it a draw, which the Captain turned into a victory for both sides. Mind you, it was only possible for one heart each, according to the Klingon hunting rules. I suppose we could argue over who really killed the moss crab, but getting people out seemed more important at the time. Activating the beacons at the same time as well, it's going to be one hunt they talk about for a long time. Mar’Keth would be very annoyed with the result, if not for being damned close to dying.

Speaking on Mar'Keth, I hope the cantankerous old bastard makes it. I suggested a toast to his health, and continued ability to engage in such hunts at a private dinner, seemed to down well with the other Klingons. K'Vart didn't seem to mind the data crystal I gave him. I don't know if the translation holds the spirit of the text that I know. Still, a mix of Sun Tzu and Musashi seems to be a good place to start on Earth based warrior philosophy.

The reception after the dinner was relaxing next to eating with the Klingons, both on their ship and the celebratory dinner. Targ heart was rather chewy, I think it's one of those meats you need to really know how to cook, you need to go through a dozen difficult steps and each one can stuff up the end result. I didn't think it took so much work to keep up with them. I'm glad I could sneak out with Sara during the reception. Any hour spent with her is a good hour, it's a shame neither of us have the day off. I love having her onboard, but I still need to process the fact she in onboard.

I suppose this is a victory for the Federation. More material for the Federation, and continued good relations with the Klingons is even more important. I wonder what the politicians will think, but the last thing I need is to be compared to a Klingon, I've already got a reputation for violence.

...End of recording...

End of Episode 04

Episode 05 – In the Blink of an Eye
Log editing in progress...

Episode 06 – Stolen Smile

Part 1

Counsellor's Log

Those present:
Lieutenant Nahodna Setkani - Ships Counsellor (Betazoid)
Lieutenant Turec - Science Officer (Vulcan)

"So Turec, I don't think I've ever had the pleasure of you visiting. What's on your mind?"
"I'm somewhat at a loss as to why I'm here myself counsellor. Ordinarily we Vulcans display a mental fortitude that few other races possess, but the Captain seemed to think it prudent."

"My understanding is you have been having trouble sleeping and meditating since you returned from your last mission and that your last duty shift was not your finest. Several members of the bridge crew and a member of your staff commented that you looked overly tired and as one person reported it, a little bit crankier than usual."

"Vulcans do not experience emotion Counsellor, so the concept of being cranky is far from accurate. I will however admit that I have not been sleeping well since we returned and that my frustration over an incomplete report might have manifested itself."

"My understanding is you crushed the pad that was handed to you by Ensign Vorn, that isn't very Vulcan like behaviour to me."
"I did not crush the pad Counsellor. I did however accidentally crack the pad whilst disciplining the Ensign."
"Either way Turec it sounds to me like you bought back some luggage with you from your last mission. The Captain has given me special dispensation to read an account of what happened to you and Lieutenant's Meaney and Cr'Huz. I must say it must have been very disorientating for you Lieutenant... why don't you tell me in your own words what happened."
"You have a gift for understatement Counsellor. Disorientating really does not begin to explain the events..."

***

We had taken a few days of shore leave on Sierra 53 and had attended an event the night before, and had taken berths on the station because of the late hour. There was repetitive metallic sound that disturbed my sleep but I was frankly too tired to pay much attention to it. It was only when Lieutenant Meaney woke me that I had a very rude awakening. I found myself in a twentieth century train carriage with Lieutenants Meaney and Cr'Huz, but it wasn't the location that shocked us all, more our appearance.

At first we thought we may have entered a holodeck or maybe been set up as part of some elaborate rouse. I called for the holodeck arch but it soon became apparent that we were not on the holodeck. It was also blatantly apparent that our appearances had been altered to look human. When I looked on Lieutenant Cr'Huz, an Andorian by birth, I saw a human male, and my own features had been similarly altered.

We drew back drapes and saw a countryside rolling by, not only were we on a train but we appeared to be on an Earth like world, travelling across a continent by this rather primitive form of transportation.

We were trying to understand our surroundings when there was a knock at our cabin door and we were asked to present tickets. It took a while for us to discover that each of us had luggage which included a paper based ticket. We presented these for inspection. Satisfied that we did indeed have this paperwork we were left alone again and could investigate the rest of our luggage.

We discovered more paperwork, something called a 'Passport of the European Union' and identity cards claiming we were agents of an organisation called 'InterPol'. Apparently someone decided that I required two names and my identity became Turec 'Rodrigez' and Lieutenant Cr'Huz became Aeron 'Hunt'

I looked carefully at this passport document and discovered we were on Earth, and that the document had been issued in 2008. Amongst other items we found crude projectile weapons with the word Glock written on the side and also a disguised tricorder device in the shape of something called an iPad according to one of the men who asked us for our tickets. I can tell you that none of us was particularly comfortable with another situation involving time travel. It seems to be something of a regular occurrence on this ship.

Not knowing what else to do we ordered breakfast, no trivial matter when the menu was in French but my colleagues seemed to have no trouble finding something called a full English, which they seemed to relish.

We were contemplating our current predicament when we heard over a communication channel that our destination, somewhere called Paris, was only twenty minutes away. We hurried to get ready, packing our luggage and being once again interrupted by two men asking to see our passports. They did ask one very strange question, which I attempted to answer but apparently I 'declared' the wrong thing. Thankfully Lieutenant Meaney was able to straighten out the matter.

It was as we were pulling into Paris that we were contacted again, this time apparently through the use of some sub-dermal communications device by a person introducing themselves as 'Relativity 21'. We were asked if we have 'made the transition' to which we answered with our own line of questioning, demanding to know who this was, where we were and all the usual questions you come to ask yourself when you find yourself outside of your own time zone. It becomes something of second nature when you've moved in time as regularly as I and the other Lieutenant's have...

Relativity 21 apologised initially saying that amnesia can be something of a side effect of the form of travel used to relocate us to the year 2011. I admit Counsellor that I did not react well to the orders we received from this shadow agent. I was very skeptical but my colleagues managed to convince me that it might be necessary play along initially at least. She advised us that we would need to make our way to a specific hotel and then on to a museum called the Louvre.

We managed to make the trip to the hotel but when we attempted to use the same mode of transport to get to the Louvre our driver told us that there is a lot of police activity around the museum. We exit the taxi next to a cordoned off area and had to 'flash our badges', as Mr Meaney put it, to gain access to the museum.

When we arrive we are directed to the Masters wing where apparently a painting called the 'Mona Lisa' has been stolen. There are literally dozens of personnel scurrying around with strange little brushes engaged in activity called 'dusting for prints'. I confess I really didn't understand the monetary significance associated with the painting, although I did find the painting style to be vaguely Vulcan like in the presentation of emotion.

Relativity 21 picked that moment to contact us again and we had to retreat to a corner to discuss the situation with her, whilst trying not to look like we were talking to a thin air. She informed us that we were hand chosen to investigate this crime because the painting in question should not have been stolen in the 2011 timeline and because we had prior experience with the perpetrator. Supposedly this paining was lost during world war 3, some years later in Earth history. Though, until that particularly bloody point in their history apparently this painting was considered something of a masterpiece.

R21, as she became dubbed, believed that the perpetrator of the crime was Damon Nix, a particularly ignorant Ferengi we had encountered several months before, but this couldn't possibly be the case, because he was serving a long sentence in a Starfleet penal colony during our timeline (suggesting indeed that R21 was not from our timeline).

I attempted to make discreet enquiries with members of the police force but apparently asking for a picture of a masterpiece is not something one should do and we were directed to a particularly un-helpful police commissioner who seemed to take our presence quite personally. Whilst Mr. Meaney attempted to calm the man down. I and Lieutenant Cr'Huz performed a tricorder scan using our cumbersome iPad forgeries and we identified that a Ferengi had indeed been present at the scene.

We took the opportunity to interview some of the witnesses and were able to get something of a description from a female curator called Louise Benoit. Louise was obviously traumatized by the events but she did recall a small elderly and particularly ignorant man coming into the museum several days before and asking to be taken to the most expensive exhibit. He was apparently quite rude to her but when asked for a description of the individual I found her memory to be quite lacking. A trait I've notice in most humans.

Whilst Lieutenant Meaney continued to discuss our presence with the Commissioner I took Louise to one side and I performed a Vulcan mind meld with her to review her memories of the events. I confess Counsellor that I found the experience both quite distasteful and somewhat intriguing at the same time. I, unlike others of my race, have rarely performed that particular ritual. I have always thought of the experience as quite primeval and it's not something I have ever considered doing with a non Vulcan, but I found that the situation needed further information and this was the only way I could think to get it.

I played back Louise's memory time and again, experiencing what she had seen and said. I saw an elderly Daemon Nix, poorly disguised, but still able to pass for a particularly ugly human. I saw him enter the museum, the conversation with Louise and then I felt her emotions as she firstly became angry and then upset at the way the Ferengi treated her. She seemed to be particularly emotional about the slap she received to her bottom and the comment that she could find gainful employment in an establishment that Nix claimed to own. She seemed most upset by the treatment and went out the next day and bought something called Pepper Spray.

I'm curious Counselor why would a woman who has been accosted by a Ferengi go out and buy a condiment? I must ask Chef if we stock this 'pepper spray' as I've only ever seen it in granule form. When we presented new information to the police commissioner his mood seemed to go from bad to worse. I honestly don't understand why he resented our help but he all but threw us out of the museum. Lieutenant Cr'Huz and I were accosted by members of the press as we left the building. Apparently the media in France can also be quite rude.

We left the museum and were contemplating going back to the hotel to review our findings when we inadvertently disrupted the timeline further. It was as we were walking through a park that Lieutenant Meaney literally bumped into a pair of foreign military officers. Lieutenant Cr'Huz later suggested that one of them bore a striking resemblance to our Captain, maybe she was some distant ancestor but apparently the event caused a significant change in the timeline for the worse. It was only because of R21's advice and Lieutenant Cr'Huz's diligence that a dropped memory device was located in the snow and he returned it to the officer, restoring the timeline. Apparently one of the Captain's distant ancestors was involved in something called the 'ISS' on behalf of European Space Agency. I admit I have yet to research what significance this 'ISS' may have in Earth's development.

We got into a taxi and it was as we were returning to our hotel that I mentioned the establishment that Nix had mentioned in his conversation with Louise Benoit. The taxi driver heard our discussion and mentioned that he knew of the club, a gentlemen's establishment in a district called the Moulin Rouge. We decided to proceed to the establishment but not before picking up devices called 'mobile phones', a primitive form of communicator so that we could keep in contact with the police commissioner if required.

When we arrived there was a particularly largely built man at the front door who would not allow us access until later in the day. Believing this to be where Nix was located, and in all probability where the stolen painting could be located, I performed a nerve pinch on the man, whilst the Lieutenants distracted him with conversation. We located keys on his person and pulled him inside before anyone could question our story of him taking sickly to deeply.

We checked the 'Bouncer' as Mr. Meaney called him further and located a handhold device similar to the mobile phone which we deduced used radio signals to transmit in a localised area.

Finding the club largely deserted we made our way into a bar area where we first stopped by a supervisor. Explaining that his colleague on the main door had been overpowered and again with the 'flash of our badges' Mr. Cr'Huz deceived the man into believing that the property may be under attack and it would be in everyone's best interest if they would allow us to investigate the building and secure the owner.

Using our tricorder we were able to establish a jamming frequency that would prevent this device from communicating with others and in so doing prevented the supervisor from having a long conversation with Mr. Nix.

The bluff worked and we gained access to the building where we were eventually able to locate Nix holed up in a secure section that took some effort to convince him to leave. Stunning the supervisor with another nerve pinch, the Lieutenants initially over powered Nix but were then forced to use those primitive firearms on him when he failed to cooperate and appeared to be reaching for a weapon of his own. The noise those weapons made was deafening.

With Nix secure, a quick search of his penthouse located the missing picture and evidence of other tamperings in that timeline. We contacted R21 and were able to have Nix transported out of the timeline. We then arranged for a computer terminal that may have contained other dealings of his activities to also be removed.

At that point we contacted the Commissioner, announcing the location of the painting, and returned to our hotel where we waited 24 hours at the request of R21 before we were returned to our own time. I recall falling asleep on a particularly uncomfortable bed in Paris in 2011 before waking again in my lodging on Sierra 53.

I thought initially it was what the humans call a 'bad dream' but when I later met up with my colleagues I was able to confirm that it was indeed a real event. We had actually travelled to Paris in 2011 and apparently saved a masterpiece from being lost.

To be continued...

Episode 06 – Stolen Smile

Part 2

Counsellor's Log

Those present:
Lieutenant Nahodna Setkani - Ships Counsellor (Betazoid)
Lieutenant Turec - Science Officer (Vulcan)

***

"Tell me Lieutenant - when you made contact with the mind of Louise Benoit how did you feel...?"

"I felt.... I felt something Counsellor and I've been feeling something ever since. I am disturbed. Louise is long dead, and she felt such anger, such fear because of what Nix did. I wonder how her life turned out but I can't find any records of her in our history database."

"Most of all I wonder what she awakened."

"Did you know Counselor that the mind meld was considered illegal on my planet not so long ago? It had a stigma associated to its use that drove it's teaching underground. Nowadays it is practiced openly and yet we Vulcan's do not often use this teaching with other races."

"It is incredibly taxing and it can take time for us to recover our mental fortitude. So you'll forgive me Counsellor but all I really want to do is retire to my quarters. To meditate and to relax before I resume my duties."

"Turec I'm going to sign you off of your next duty shift. Get some rest and we'll talk more tomorrow. I do understand what you're going through and as a empath myself I can teach you ways to recover, ways to build your defenses back up when you need them."

"Thank you Counsellor, I would like that. There are so few Vulcan's on this ship and none I believe who I would care to share this with. Perhaps I will take you up on your offer and maybe you can also help me to develop these mental skills. I think I would enjoy that also."

End of Episode 06

Episode 07 - All the Queen's Men

Please note that the following episode is equivalent to one of motion picture events in our campaign.
As such all players have been invited to contribute their own personal or mission logs.
In addition notes offered by Game Master (me) will be posted as well.

All the Queen's Men
(Game Master's Presentation)

The dark green hull of his shuttle contrasted heavily against the darkness of deep, cold space. His orders demanded his presence at this specific set of coordinates and at the requested point in time, as always there was nothing here, though he knew very well that never actually was the case.

All that was required now was some patience. Patience that his pilot was certainly lacking for he noted the young officer’s uncomfortable composure and repeated insistence to check, double check and re-check their coordinates and shuttle’s sensors. Finally after about 15 minutes of silent wait the pilot decided to raise his concerns.

“Sir…” he turned to face his passenger but was never given a chance to finish the sentence.

Less that kilometre from their relative position the space shimmered as cloak fields parted giving way to the magnificent, predatory hull of a Romulan Dreadnought. “The Endless Sky”, for that was her name, appears out of nowhere, completely surprising the shuttle pilot, practically making him jump in the chair.

He watched the young Romulan’s expression, awe, inspiration, fear… in great abundance they danced on pilot’s face, as he admired the almost two kilometres long hull of Tal’Shiar flag ship. The intended projection of power was absolute for even he found himself still both amazed and intimidated by the very sight, one he had a chance to witness a number of times before.

Then again… he knew this is exactly how she liked to make her appearance…

The loud hail announcement brought them back into the present. The image of Romulan Centurion appeared on their view screen. The man, with cold calculated gaze, carefully measured both occupants of the shuttle, deliberately failing to recognize the very senior rank of its passenger.

“Stand by for tractor beam…” were the only words the centurion offered.

***

Admiral Vartek stood patiently and in a company of a single guard inside a specious, fast moving lift as they awaited its arrival to the intended destination, the command deck.

He noted that the soldier offered no recognition of his rank and position, that of Senior Naval Intelligence Officer or Romulan Star Empire as was required by protocol and wonder how much of it was orchestrated by the powers that were. He knew the displeasure of those senior to him in the relation to the situation, he was no doubt summoned to take responsibilities for it and long ago accepted that he was going to be used as the scapegoat. His stars were indeed in decline.

Finally, they were here as the lift came to a halt and the doors parted, opening the lavish command deck before him. Two Tal’Shiar centurions, their dark grey uniforms arranged into perfection, their lethal disruptors resting menacingly by their side awaited him at the entrance.

“This way…” was all they offered and once again he felt like a child summoned by the parent, no doubt to discuss his failings, whatever they may have been and of course… appease her displeasures.

***

She wore a set of citizen clothes, though they were distinctly cut in more of a military manner, not really unusual for someone of her position. They complemented her natural beauty, and given a set of perfect circumstances perhaps could even permit some degree of anonymity in a crowd. Yet all of that was instantly dispelled by a presence of large, emerald insignia, that of a supreme commander of Tal’Shiar.

“Senator…” one of his guards spoke, distinct politeness colouring his tone. “Admiral Vartek as ordered…”
She looked up, her cold gaze washing over him, her thoughts and emotions hard to read from this distance.
“Thank you Centurion…” she nodded, dismissing the escort.

The two officers promptly departed, leaving him alone with her, though he elected to remain at attention. She kept him waiting as she continued to examine data pads that laid before her. There was no invitation to sit down, no words permitting any type of ease.

Even though it was denied to him at this time, her office still offered plenty of comfort, though large, antique, no doubt handmade desk always remained the focal point of the room, above it on the wall, side by side and equal in size (a fact that many no doubt would consider shocking) hanged a pair of large insignias, representing the Romulan Star Empire and the Tal’Shiar.

He noted that a casual observer could easily imagine the pair as a set of giant eyes, always watching, always judging… a disconcerting though indeed. He smiled to himself, remembering the conversations he held with his colleagues in times gone by discussing the overly intimidating and full of insidious symbolism approach often taken by Tal’Shair internal decorators (if there was such job, a riddle they often pondered as well).

Below the symbol, now pair of grey eyes stared at him, and he knew that look, cold, calculated anger and contempt, design to mask intelligent, observing mind that hid beneath them. Designed to force the individual out of whatever comfort they might have been in and flood their senses with feelings of fear and impending doom, all while the inner intellect watched. He had learned to respect it, perhaps even to see a little bit past it, at least for his sake, for this was not the first time he has been on the receiving end of it and he had known what it meant to ignore it.

“Do you know why you are here?” she finally spoke in a firm tone.
“Yes Senator…” he offered a polite reply. “I understand that the command is concerned with the current situation on Federation Front”.

He knew that being direct and as open as one in his position would be allowed would work in his favour here.
“That is correct...” she nodded, her expression somehow less cold.
She reached for a pad and started reading.
“The initial projections are that the Federation will find itself in disarray with Starfleet paralysed due to the recent military coup and unable to properly respond to our advance. We estimate the fall and sub sequential conquest of Vulcan within 3 to 6 months…” she stopped short of full summary.
“Those were your words… were they not?”

Playing defence was what he had to do, yet the entire doctrine of his organization was always opposed to that. Fortunately for him, all the experience gained on the job, would prove invaluable in times like this.

“Senator, those projections were made with many critical variables considered strongly in our favour…” there was not much more he could offer.
“I am well aware of that…” her answer somewhat surprised him, maybe this place was not going to turn into a sacrificial chamber, with him as the main offering just yet.
“However here we are, some two years later, locked in border skirmishes with three very well organized Starfleet Battle Fleets… while the Federation at large is working hard on recovering its lost reputation and mending internal disputes… how do you account for that?” she continued.

“Some critical variables going strongly in their favour?” would have been the correct answer here, one that he dared not to give voice to. Besides he knew that she knew the answers quite well and so the best he could do was to remain silent, at least for the time being.

“I recognize that points of failure are much more complex and certainly cannot be placed on the shoulders of one man…” she added, her overpowering attention directed at him.
“However tomorrow I am going to be standing where you are right now and facing the Star Empire’s Praetor…”
A position he certainly did not wanted to find himself in, quite possibly ever.
“The Praetor without the doubt will ask me the same questions…” her observations ended abruptly.

“Senator, if I may be so bold as to bring your attention to a number of outgoing operations within the Federation and the surrounding space…” that was his queue to try and turn the tides in his favour.

“Admiral…” this was the first time today that someone on this ship has actually offered him some courtesy,
“The acts of sabotage and subterfuge, however successful they may be, do not interest me, we are not going to win the war with them alone and while Tal’Shiar remains the undisputed leader on the interstellar espionage scene you might have noticed that Starfleet is caching up…”

That last observation carried a certain well aimed insult, for Admiral Vartek have had some long and colourful history of animosities with the currently active Starfleet Intelligence establishment, animosities that, to be fair, left both sides with many agonizing bruises on more than one occasion.

“…yes, but you will notice that…” his were further attempts at some professional self-defence.
“I did notice that…” the senator cut him short, “…you have developed some remarkably well placed assets in Starfleet Intelligence, however it remains to be seen whether you are able to use them to their full advantage.”
“After all, your professional reputation… and your future rely on that…” a predatory smile coloured those last few words.

Hers was a well-constructed threat, one that he noted he could not afford to ignore.
“This short, victorious war has taken entirely too long to unfold Admiral…” she added.
That it did, for he certainly agreed with her on this point entirely...