May 2005 - Post Selection
On: A Cold, Sterile Place
Day 6
Time : 6.00
Scene: Transporter Room 2
"We meet again, Counsellor!" The big ensign, a Russian by the name of Sobolov(npc) snapped him a smart salute. "Captain Persson briefed me and Mikhail here about your particular mission. It will be a honor to go out on the hunt with you."
The other ensign, a slight young fellow called Michael Munro (npc) smiled and saluted nervously. He just turned 19, with a head of bushy red hair and a face still full of freckles. Sulvik remembered the two of them quite well. Their evaluations were quite fascinating. They had their illogical quirks, as all humans did, but were quite good at their jobs. Persson had chosen quite well, as Sulvik imagined he would do.
"Thank you Ensign. Let us hope you do not need to employ your skills. This is, after all, a research mission." He turned his attention to the grid of Paradian IV's city displayed on the computer screen.
"Have we located any residential areas in the city yet?"
Ensign Munro pointed to one of the sectors. "This is our best guess, sir..."
"Do not guess, Ensign. It is destructive to your logical faculties. Make inferences based on the data."
Munro blushed a deep scarlet. "Based on the data transmitted by the other away teams, this is where we...um, infer where the residential district is. The buildings resemble dormitories and are well away from what looks to be the industrial areas."
"That is a logical inference to make, Ensign."
The young man grinned. "Thank you sir. Miss Craig will be meeting us at this point," he indicated one of the little squares in the grid close to where the 'dormitories' where.
Lt. Sulvik nodded. "Captain Persson informed me as much. Her diplomatic skills may prove useful in interpreting what we find."
Sulvik thought about June Craig for a moment. He had spoken only about ten words to her, but he sensed the Terran woman was quite uncomfortable in his presence. There were several possibilities as to why, but all of them were highly irrational. Sulvik thought of his time aboard the Antietam and remembered the results of his not addressing the issue with his CO. He would have to explain the irrationality of her fears when he had an opportunity. Something told Sulvik that it would not be the most pleasant of tasks.
"Shall we, ensigns?" Sulvik took his place on the transport area. The grin on Sobolov's face was his answer.
"Energize when ready, chief." Sulvik felt a slight tingling in his legs and a rush of warm air, and then he was gone.
Time: Day 6, 7.30 Scene: Living Quarters Area-Sulvik's Team
Sulvik and the two ensigns energized exactly where Munro had said they would. June Craig was already there, a nervous look on her face.
"Lieutenant Commander Vahl asked me to link up with your away team." June's tone made it clear that she would rather have linked up with the Borg.
"Indeed, Miss Craig. I have no doubt your skills will be an asset. It is good to work with you."
June didn't like how the Vulcan was looking at her. His cold gray eyes were appraising her with a clinical curiosity, in much the same way a CMO would approach a dissection.
"And who is this little fellow?" Sulvik's eyebrows rose as a little simian-like creature suddenly appeared on June's shoulder.
"Oh, this is Blue. He sort of attached himself to me when he first arrived on the planet." She chuckled a bit. "Ensign Tramori believes he's attracted to me."
Sulvik stroked his chin. "Fascinating. He reminds me of a sehlat I had as a child." He reached out a hand to the creature, who leapt off of June's shoulder and scurried backwards.
"I don't think he likes you, Lieutenant." There is a note of satisfaction in June's voice.
"Indeed. It would have been useful to examine the creature closely. Perhaps there will be an opportunity after we find the Paradians' quarters."
Sulvik turned his attention to his surroundings. Many of the buildings in this area were similar in structure and design. If indeed these were living quarters, they told him much about the inhabitants of this planet already. The design of the buildings showed a detachment from most species' sentimental romanticism of the concept of 'home.'
"Lieutenant, Mikhail and I should enter first. Secure the perimeter." The big Russian pulled out his phaser.
"Go ahead, ensign, but tread carefully. There may be evidence inside." Sulvik found Sobolov's willingness to draw his phaser so early a bit troubling, but the big Russian was one of the crew who was clearly spooked by the mystery of Paradian IV.
As the two ensigns entered the tall white building, Sulvik saw his chance.
"Miss Craig, may I ask you a question?"
June was instantly wary. "What?" Her voice was dangerously level, tightly controlled.
"I have observed that you are quite uncomfortable in my presence. I was curious if my role as counsellor disturbed you somehow?"
"I'm not sure if this is the best time for this, Counsellor." June's voice betrayed a hint of anger.
Sulvik raised an eyebrow skeptically. "Humans have an irrational tendency to try and avoid issues which cause them the most distress." He observed mildly.
"Look, I don't have a problem with Counsellors, okay?"
"I see. Then, what about the possibility you desire to mate with me?"
"What?" In one word, June managed to mix anger, surprise and irritation. Who did this Vulcan think he was, anyway?
"It is quite common, though illogical, among humans, I assure you." Sulvik explained. "Humans see Vulcans in a highly sexual way. Our knowledge of neuropressure, as well as the occasional state of pon farr Vulcans undergo assists humans in making these assumptions. Add to that the unemotional nature of the Vulcan personality, that humans find intriguing. I believe 'wanting what you can't have' is the most widely used description of this human phenomenon."
"Listen you arrogant, pointy-eared...*lieutenant*," June forced herself to calm down. "I am NOT attracted to you. In fact, I wouldn't mate with you if we were the last two beings in the galaxy!"
Blue hopped in front of June and adopted a defensive posture, sensing her anger at the Vulcan counsellor. He scowled fiercely at Sulvik.
"I see, Miss Craig. So, we must be back to my role as ship's counsellor..."
"Lt. Sulvik, if I want to be analyzed by you, I'll make an appointment to see you in your office."
Thankfully, Sobolov and Munro appeared in the doorway of the building.
"Lieutenant Sulvik, Miss Craig...you should probably come see this." Munro said. He appeared to be even more pale than he was normally.
Sulvik and June followed the two ensigns into the building. They entered into a long hallway full of doorways. Each doorway was open; the electronic doors seemed to be disengaged. A stairwell was at the other end of the hallway.
"Were all these doors open before?" June asked.
"Da, Miss Craig. We were very careful not to touch anything." Sobolov said. His good cheer had evaporated into a nervous edginess.
Sulvik ran his long pale fingers over the nearest doorway. "Fascinating. Something destroyed or disabled all the doors in this block."
"Or someone." June put in.
"Indeed, Miss Craig. We should examine the room to see what it can tell us."
If Sulvik was hoping to find some personal effects of the inhabitants of Paradian IV, he going to be disappointed. The room they entered was undoubtedly a living quarters at one point, but except for a bed and what appeared to be a restroom facility the quarters was a cold sterile place;totally empty, devoid of anything.
"This is..."
"If you say fascinating, so help me I'll..." June's voice broke in with a hint of warning.
"The word I was going to use was disturbing, Miss Craig." Sulvik's eyebrow rose.
"Really? I thought you would have felt right at home in a place like this." June said archly.
"Even without the irrational sentimentality around the notion of 'home', there should be something....some trace of Paradian culture. The fact that there is nothing is indicative that... something is at work here."
"Lieutenant, I found something." Munro emerged from one of the rooms holding a black metallic sphere. "I don't know what it is though."
Sulvik took the sphere into his hands. "It appears to be some sort of technological device. Perhaps it is a diary or personal record of some sort. I am unsure how to operate it, though. Miss Craig?"
June looked the object over with interest. "No clue. We should probably contact Commander Vahl though; maybe one of the other teams might have found something that tells us what it is."
Sulvik nodded. "Agreed. We should check the other rooms as quickly as possible and continue our exploration. I do not feel...comfortable here."
Ensign Sergei Sobolov shivered. If a Vulcan was nervous about this place, it had to be bad. What he wouldn't give for a large vodka right now. From the looks he saw on Miss Craig's and Munro's faces, he knew they felt much the same way.
Sulvik stepped out of the first apartment and moved to the next door. After a moment, June Craig joined him, her face stricken. "Something's happened to Lt. MacDuff's team. They've disappeared."
To his credit, the Vulcan did not hesitate. "Get the ensigns. We need to move. Now."
OFF:
Lt. Sulvik
Ship's Counsellor
USS Dark Matter
Day 6
Time : 6.00
Scene: Transporter Room 2
"We meet again, Counsellor!" The big ensign, a Russian by the name of Sobolov(npc) snapped him a smart salute. "Captain Persson briefed me and Mikhail here about your particular mission. It will be a honor to go out on the hunt with you."
The other ensign, a slight young fellow called Michael Munro (npc) smiled and saluted nervously. He just turned 19, with a head of bushy red hair and a face still full of freckles. Sulvik remembered the two of them quite well. Their evaluations were quite fascinating. They had their illogical quirks, as all humans did, but were quite good at their jobs. Persson had chosen quite well, as Sulvik imagined he would do.
"Thank you Ensign. Let us hope you do not need to employ your skills. This is, after all, a research mission." He turned his attention to the grid of Paradian IV's city displayed on the computer screen.
"Have we located any residential areas in the city yet?"
Ensign Munro pointed to one of the sectors. "This is our best guess, sir..."
"Do not guess, Ensign. It is destructive to your logical faculties. Make inferences based on the data."
Munro blushed a deep scarlet. "Based on the data transmitted by the other away teams, this is where we...um, infer where the residential district is. The buildings resemble dormitories and are well away from what looks to be the industrial areas."
"That is a logical inference to make, Ensign."
The young man grinned. "Thank you sir. Miss Craig will be meeting us at this point," he indicated one of the little squares in the grid close to where the 'dormitories' where.
Lt. Sulvik nodded. "Captain Persson informed me as much. Her diplomatic skills may prove useful in interpreting what we find."
Sulvik thought about June Craig for a moment. He had spoken only about ten words to her, but he sensed the Terran woman was quite uncomfortable in his presence. There were several possibilities as to why, but all of them were highly irrational. Sulvik thought of his time aboard the Antietam and remembered the results of his not addressing the issue with his CO. He would have to explain the irrationality of her fears when he had an opportunity. Something told Sulvik that it would not be the most pleasant of tasks.
"Shall we, ensigns?" Sulvik took his place on the transport area. The grin on Sobolov's face was his answer.
"Energize when ready, chief." Sulvik felt a slight tingling in his legs and a rush of warm air, and then he was gone.
Time: Day 6, 7.30 Scene: Living Quarters Area-Sulvik's Team
Sulvik and the two ensigns energized exactly where Munro had said they would. June Craig was already there, a nervous look on her face.
"Lieutenant Commander Vahl asked me to link up with your away team." June's tone made it clear that she would rather have linked up with the Borg.
"Indeed, Miss Craig. I have no doubt your skills will be an asset. It is good to work with you."
June didn't like how the Vulcan was looking at her. His cold gray eyes were appraising her with a clinical curiosity, in much the same way a CMO would approach a dissection.
"And who is this little fellow?" Sulvik's eyebrows rose as a little simian-like creature suddenly appeared on June's shoulder.
"Oh, this is Blue. He sort of attached himself to me when he first arrived on the planet." She chuckled a bit. "Ensign Tramori believes he's attracted to me."
Sulvik stroked his chin. "Fascinating. He reminds me of a sehlat I had as a child." He reached out a hand to the creature, who leapt off of June's shoulder and scurried backwards.
"I don't think he likes you, Lieutenant." There is a note of satisfaction in June's voice.
"Indeed. It would have been useful to examine the creature closely. Perhaps there will be an opportunity after we find the Paradians' quarters."
Sulvik turned his attention to his surroundings. Many of the buildings in this area were similar in structure and design. If indeed these were living quarters, they told him much about the inhabitants of this planet already. The design of the buildings showed a detachment from most species' sentimental romanticism of the concept of 'home.'
"Lieutenant, Mikhail and I should enter first. Secure the perimeter." The big Russian pulled out his phaser.
"Go ahead, ensign, but tread carefully. There may be evidence inside." Sulvik found Sobolov's willingness to draw his phaser so early a bit troubling, but the big Russian was one of the crew who was clearly spooked by the mystery of Paradian IV.
As the two ensigns entered the tall white building, Sulvik saw his chance.
"Miss Craig, may I ask you a question?"
June was instantly wary. "What?" Her voice was dangerously level, tightly controlled.
"I have observed that you are quite uncomfortable in my presence. I was curious if my role as counsellor disturbed you somehow?"
"I'm not sure if this is the best time for this, Counsellor." June's voice betrayed a hint of anger.
Sulvik raised an eyebrow skeptically. "Humans have an irrational tendency to try and avoid issues which cause them the most distress." He observed mildly.
"Look, I don't have a problem with Counsellors, okay?"
"I see. Then, what about the possibility you desire to mate with me?"
"What?" In one word, June managed to mix anger, surprise and irritation. Who did this Vulcan think he was, anyway?
"It is quite common, though illogical, among humans, I assure you." Sulvik explained. "Humans see Vulcans in a highly sexual way. Our knowledge of neuropressure, as well as the occasional state of pon farr Vulcans undergo assists humans in making these assumptions. Add to that the unemotional nature of the Vulcan personality, that humans find intriguing. I believe 'wanting what you can't have' is the most widely used description of this human phenomenon."
"Listen you arrogant, pointy-eared...*lieutenant*," June forced herself to calm down. "I am NOT attracted to you. In fact, I wouldn't mate with you if we were the last two beings in the galaxy!"
Blue hopped in front of June and adopted a defensive posture, sensing her anger at the Vulcan counsellor. He scowled fiercely at Sulvik.
"I see, Miss Craig. So, we must be back to my role as ship's counsellor..."
"Lt. Sulvik, if I want to be analyzed by you, I'll make an appointment to see you in your office."
Thankfully, Sobolov and Munro appeared in the doorway of the building.
"Lieutenant Sulvik, Miss Craig...you should probably come see this." Munro said. He appeared to be even more pale than he was normally.
Sulvik and June followed the two ensigns into the building. They entered into a long hallway full of doorways. Each doorway was open; the electronic doors seemed to be disengaged. A stairwell was at the other end of the hallway.
"Were all these doors open before?" June asked.
"Da, Miss Craig. We were very careful not to touch anything." Sobolov said. His good cheer had evaporated into a nervous edginess.
Sulvik ran his long pale fingers over the nearest doorway. "Fascinating. Something destroyed or disabled all the doors in this block."
"Or someone." June put in.
"Indeed, Miss Craig. We should examine the room to see what it can tell us."
If Sulvik was hoping to find some personal effects of the inhabitants of Paradian IV, he going to be disappointed. The room they entered was undoubtedly a living quarters at one point, but except for a bed and what appeared to be a restroom facility the quarters was a cold sterile place;totally empty, devoid of anything.
"This is..."
"If you say fascinating, so help me I'll..." June's voice broke in with a hint of warning.
"The word I was going to use was disturbing, Miss Craig." Sulvik's eyebrow rose.
"Really? I thought you would have felt right at home in a place like this." June said archly.
"Even without the irrational sentimentality around the notion of 'home', there should be something....some trace of Paradian culture. The fact that there is nothing is indicative that... something is at work here."
"Lieutenant, I found something." Munro emerged from one of the rooms holding a black metallic sphere. "I don't know what it is though."
Sulvik took the sphere into his hands. "It appears to be some sort of technological device. Perhaps it is a diary or personal record of some sort. I am unsure how to operate it, though. Miss Craig?"
June looked the object over with interest. "No clue. We should probably contact Commander Vahl though; maybe one of the other teams might have found something that tells us what it is."
Sulvik nodded. "Agreed. We should check the other rooms as quickly as possible and continue our exploration. I do not feel...comfortable here."
Ensign Sergei Sobolov shivered. If a Vulcan was nervous about this place, it had to be bad. What he wouldn't give for a large vodka right now. From the looks he saw on Miss Craig's and Munro's faces, he knew they felt much the same way.
Sulvik stepped out of the first apartment and moved to the next door. After a moment, June Craig joined him, her face stricken. "Something's happened to Lt. MacDuff's team. They've disappeared."
To his credit, the Vulcan did not hesitate. "Get the ensigns. We need to move. Now."
OFF:
Lt. Sulvik
Ship's Counsellor
USS Dark Matter