December 2004 - Post Selection (2)
ON: Doing The Right Thing
Day 6 - Time : 20.00 - Scene : Main Lounge
This time the lounge was alive with bright lights, showing off its attributes : a pristine bar looking bigger now that it was empty, and in the exact centre of the room, a long dining table covered with a sharp white cloth and shining cutlery. June was present, wearing a white suit, and was accompanied by a Ferengi, half as tall as she was. They looked so completely different from each other that the whole room felt like a surrealistic tableau. A distorted imitation of life...
June directed Claryx's group of scientists to their seats. They were the first to arrive, which was a record considering that she had spent the last hour onboard the USS Archimedes, to familiarize herself with its own science crew. By the time they were seated, another group of officers turned up, closely followed by their C.O. June managed to see to everyone, with a special smile for Persson. No one could accuse her of not being efficient.
Within the next five minutes, every seat was occupied, which included their three Klingon guests, in full battle dress. They had been placed next to Gol'Khar, who was sat directly in front of her. She couldn't help noticing the difference with her assistant. They looked rough, ready to make a fuss on the tiniest subject, for the simple reason that they had not been contacted regarding the 'Big Blob'. The galaxy belonged to everyone. When it was endangered the source of the problem shouldn't be kept as a secret. Persson had tried his best to explain the position of the Federation, and the fact that they were more than happy to receive the assistance of their Klingon allies. Yet, as a proud race, they made a special effort to remain offended.
Between bouts of diplomacy and engineering matters, Claryx couldn't help notice how the Ferengi waiter carefully avoided to walk even near the Klingons. Even Gol'Khar was spared his presence. Her observation was cut short when she heard Cdr Persson urging Lt Myers (npc) to resume the situation, with a scientific angle this time.
"You make it sound as if you were speaking of a disembodied soul from Kovor!!" K'Barq erupted. "Untraceable, invisible, with a determined will to carry out its task!"
Had his tone not been so derisive, it would have sounded as if he believed in ghosts.
"The fact this entity needs so much energy proves that it is very much alive, K'Barq." Gol'Khar said.
"Too much alive for our liking." Claryx concurred.
K'Barq shrugged her comment away. "So where is this thing going? You must know at least something about this creature!"
Persson's serious features became even more austere. He had had several discussions with his scientists and those of the Archimedes, and knew indeed where the creature was likely to go.
"At the moment, our only means to detect this killing organism is to follow its path of destruction. It seems to perform its attacks approximately every seven days and 13 hours. This taking of energy is presumably used to sustain its biological functions. And the next destination is likely to be the Lorgoran delta star system.
The three Klingons looked at each other for a very rare moment of silence.
"This star system is even larger than the two previous ones that it annihilated!!" The Klingon next to K'Barq shouted.
"This is part of the general pattern," Claryx ventured. "Sentient or not, this entity has a insatiable craving for energy. We also assume that a part of the vast energy it consumes is used to fuel its journey through space. Unfortunately, if 'eating' is its only purpose, ultimately it is likely to aim for the largest source of energy of all : the very centre of our galaxy."
Another silence followed, even Craig, who was serving the Archimedes' CMO froze for a few seconds.
"I do hope that your Federation is not going to back down behind some silly rules because the creature might be sentient?!" K'Barq resumed. "Such a menace needs to be exterminated, and at the quickest opportunity!"
"I agree," Persson replied, calm as ever. "And I can assure you that we share a common goal : To stop this organism, at all cost."
"Stop and kill aren't the same!" K'Barq protested.
"This is the end result that matters." Claryx pointed out. " And if this creature happens to be sentient, then we will have an additional opening to counter its action, by communicating with it."
The three Klingons looked furious, and Claryx was sure that without the presence of Gol'Khar, they would have screamed their disagreement as loud as they could. As things were, they managed to remain eerily calm.
"We do understand your concerns." Persson said. "And although the safety of our galaxy is obviously our priority, we also realize that in order to stop this organism, we may have to destroy it ; something that could create even more damage to the area of space where we'll find ourselves. This in order to ensure the well being of the rest of the galaxy."
The silence returned, and this time no one bothered with the remains of their meals. They would be on the first line, likely to be turned into faceless casualties if Persson was right. It was difficult to develop an appetite in such circumstances. The Klingon were the only ones - and this included Gol'Khar - to keep a challenging air about them. They would have no qualms about doing the right thing. There was no doubt about it. She wished she had the same undisputed courage. The only reassuring thing, was that several other crewmembers felt just like her, clinging to the idea that there must be another solution. They "just" had to find it.
"We could be faced with a hit and run scenario." Gol'Khar suddenly reflected. "Hit fast and run very, very fast."
Persson was about to add something when the voice of Jacobs (npc) filled the lounge. Two Cardassian ships were looming towards them at maximum warp and would be on their doorstep in approximately 45 minutes. No contact yet, just as it had been with the Klingons. This area of space was getting too popular for its own good.
"urwI!" (traitor) K'Barq shouted as he got up and banged his fist on the table. "Who will be next, the Romulans??"
Persson also got onto his feet. "It looks like you weren't the only ones to monitor the presence of the Federation in this area, K'Barq. Will you join me on my Bridge to greet our new companions?"
OFF :
Lieutenant Claryx Vahl
Chief Science Officer
USS Dark Matter
Day 6 - Time : 20.00 - Scene : Main Lounge
This time the lounge was alive with bright lights, showing off its attributes : a pristine bar looking bigger now that it was empty, and in the exact centre of the room, a long dining table covered with a sharp white cloth and shining cutlery. June was present, wearing a white suit, and was accompanied by a Ferengi, half as tall as she was. They looked so completely different from each other that the whole room felt like a surrealistic tableau. A distorted imitation of life...
June directed Claryx's group of scientists to their seats. They were the first to arrive, which was a record considering that she had spent the last hour onboard the USS Archimedes, to familiarize herself with its own science crew. By the time they were seated, another group of officers turned up, closely followed by their C.O. June managed to see to everyone, with a special smile for Persson. No one could accuse her of not being efficient.
Within the next five minutes, every seat was occupied, which included their three Klingon guests, in full battle dress. They had been placed next to Gol'Khar, who was sat directly in front of her. She couldn't help noticing the difference with her assistant. They looked rough, ready to make a fuss on the tiniest subject, for the simple reason that they had not been contacted regarding the 'Big Blob'. The galaxy belonged to everyone. When it was endangered the source of the problem shouldn't be kept as a secret. Persson had tried his best to explain the position of the Federation, and the fact that they were more than happy to receive the assistance of their Klingon allies. Yet, as a proud race, they made a special effort to remain offended.
Between bouts of diplomacy and engineering matters, Claryx couldn't help notice how the Ferengi waiter carefully avoided to walk even near the Klingons. Even Gol'Khar was spared his presence. Her observation was cut short when she heard Cdr Persson urging Lt Myers (npc) to resume the situation, with a scientific angle this time.
"You make it sound as if you were speaking of a disembodied soul from Kovor!!" K'Barq erupted. "Untraceable, invisible, with a determined will to carry out its task!"
Had his tone not been so derisive, it would have sounded as if he believed in ghosts.
"The fact this entity needs so much energy proves that it is very much alive, K'Barq." Gol'Khar said.
"Too much alive for our liking." Claryx concurred.
K'Barq shrugged her comment away. "So where is this thing going? You must know at least something about this creature!"
Persson's serious features became even more austere. He had had several discussions with his scientists and those of the Archimedes, and knew indeed where the creature was likely to go.
"At the moment, our only means to detect this killing organism is to follow its path of destruction. It seems to perform its attacks approximately every seven days and 13 hours. This taking of energy is presumably used to sustain its biological functions. And the next destination is likely to be the Lorgoran delta star system.
The three Klingons looked at each other for a very rare moment of silence.
"This star system is even larger than the two previous ones that it annihilated!!" The Klingon next to K'Barq shouted.
"This is part of the general pattern," Claryx ventured. "Sentient or not, this entity has a insatiable craving for energy. We also assume that a part of the vast energy it consumes is used to fuel its journey through space. Unfortunately, if 'eating' is its only purpose, ultimately it is likely to aim for the largest source of energy of all : the very centre of our galaxy."
Another silence followed, even Craig, who was serving the Archimedes' CMO froze for a few seconds.
"I do hope that your Federation is not going to back down behind some silly rules because the creature might be sentient?!" K'Barq resumed. "Such a menace needs to be exterminated, and at the quickest opportunity!"
"I agree," Persson replied, calm as ever. "And I can assure you that we share a common goal : To stop this organism, at all cost."
"Stop and kill aren't the same!" K'Barq protested.
"This is the end result that matters." Claryx pointed out. " And if this creature happens to be sentient, then we will have an additional opening to counter its action, by communicating with it."
The three Klingons looked furious, and Claryx was sure that without the presence of Gol'Khar, they would have screamed their disagreement as loud as they could. As things were, they managed to remain eerily calm.
"We do understand your concerns." Persson said. "And although the safety of our galaxy is obviously our priority, we also realize that in order to stop this organism, we may have to destroy it ; something that could create even more damage to the area of space where we'll find ourselves. This in order to ensure the well being of the rest of the galaxy."
The silence returned, and this time no one bothered with the remains of their meals. They would be on the first line, likely to be turned into faceless casualties if Persson was right. It was difficult to develop an appetite in such circumstances. The Klingon were the only ones - and this included Gol'Khar - to keep a challenging air about them. They would have no qualms about doing the right thing. There was no doubt about it. She wished she had the same undisputed courage. The only reassuring thing, was that several other crewmembers felt just like her, clinging to the idea that there must be another solution. They "just" had to find it.
"We could be faced with a hit and run scenario." Gol'Khar suddenly reflected. "Hit fast and run very, very fast."
Persson was about to add something when the voice of Jacobs (npc) filled the lounge. Two Cardassian ships were looming towards them at maximum warp and would be on their doorstep in approximately 45 minutes. No contact yet, just as it had been with the Klingons. This area of space was getting too popular for its own good.
"urwI!" (traitor) K'Barq shouted as he got up and banged his fist on the table. "Who will be next, the Romulans??"
Persson also got onto his feet. "It looks like you weren't the only ones to monitor the presence of the Federation in this area, K'Barq. Will you join me on my Bridge to greet our new companions?"
OFF :
Lieutenant Claryx Vahl
Chief Science Officer
USS Dark Matter