SIM:James-Back to the Future

Crew of Deep Space 285

Lt. Commander James

ZP - 314 - 159 Rank: Lt. Commander Station: Deep Space 285 Position: First Officer Species: Terran / Vulcan Gender: Male Age: 34 DoB: 236704.30 Birthplace: Shi'Kahr, Vulcan Main • Sims Personal History • Medical Record School Report • Academy Record Awards & Service Ribbons Starfleet Academy Graduate Ribbon Featured Nominee Defense of Temporal Flow Ribbon Featured Bio Neelix Award TOSMA 1-year Member Good Conduct Ribbon Purple Heart Diplomacy Ribbon User Page

• Mission: Time Travel to Ishkaria
• Ship: USS Drake
• Started: 239003.06
• Ended: Present

First Briefing

(( USS Drake - Briefing Room ))

:: James headed into the sizeable room on deck two. He could see that it had
already become quite populated. ::

Reed: Ensign James, did you enjoy yourself at Chamadar Falls?

James: The falls are indeed most interesting, Sir. I rather enjoyed the new
experience. How was your visit, Sir?

Reed: I did indeed.  It has been quite some time since I’ve had such a lovely
time.  The waterfall was very relaxing, as was the sky sailing.

James: The waterfall was, indeed, spectacular. I shall definitely have to visit
it again at some point.

Reed:  When you have time, stop by my office.  I have your security codes and
clearances available.

James: Thank you, Sir. I shall be sure to head down at the nearest opportunity.

:: As James and Reed talked, a stiff-looking Pandora entered and presented a
PADD to the Captain. ::

Pandora: The Drake's status report. More work needs to be done, but given the
facilities available, the ship is as ready as it is going to get.

Rogers: ?

:: Nodding slightly, she turned and walked away, heading for the one she
actually wanted to *talk* to, as opposed to merely report.::

Pandora: ::softly:: Commander. If you have a moment?

Danzia: :: equally quiet :: Of course.

Pandora: When circumstances permit, I would like to make use of your services.

Danzia: :: nodding :: I have time to fit you in.

0o That interaction was quite different to what I've become accustomed too...
0o

:: Meanwhile, Brice and Whale were chatting rather loudly. And Whale was, most
emphatically, out of uniform. ::

 BRICE: Oh, sorry.

WHALE: It’s all right.  Pretty sure that was my fault.  Too tired to be very
aware of my surroundings.

BRICE: A good balance of work and rest is usually the best.

:: Whale chuckled and sipped his tea. ::

WHALE: I agree, but I have a tiny little wrinkle in that balance now.  :: beat
::   Hopefully you still have a place to rest – I hear some officers are
without quarters for the time being.

BRICE: No, thankfully my quarters escaped destruction this time.  What about
yours?

WHALE: A few things knocked over, but pretty much everything intact. 
Thankfully.  :: beat ::   Nice work with the music down at the falls, by the
way.  We need more music on this boat.

BRICE: ?

WHALE: Hm?

:: He looked down at his clothes and smirked. ::

WHALE: Oh, this is actually the new Marine uniform.  I’m testing it out. 
Pilot program and all that.

BRICE/ANYONE: ?

Danzia: I was actually trying not to notice.

Whale: Response

Danzia: It's a professional skill.

Whale/Anyone: Response

:: James wandered away from the crowd to the small pile of rich tea biscuits,
taking a few, and poured a cup of Earl Grey tea. ::

Preventing large explosions.

((Deck 6 - USS Drake))

James: =/= Ensign James to Lt. Pandora - Lieutenant, I am on Deck 6.
There is minimal damage to the surroundings and door controls. What
happened and what should I do? =/=

Pandora: =/= Unknown at this time. One moment. =/=

Pandora: =/= Ensign, please report to engineering. Your assistance
may prove useful. =/=

James: =/= Right away, Sir.=/=

0o This ship seems to have a high pretensity for damage... Fascinating... 0o

((Main Engineering - USS Drake))

:: Stepping through the turbodoor, James was hit by the air of urgency
in the room. It was abundantly obvious that this is not a good
situation, even the people who knew the ship best where panicked.
Although this could just be the regular state of affairs on the Drake,
he supposed. After all the only real benchmark James had was that of
the Discovery, which probably could not be considered a average for
the fleet... Before James had a chance to finish that thought Lt.
Pandora appeared by the door, stepping aside to let him out. ::

James : Lt., what is the ships current state? Based off what I saw on
the way down, I would predict that it is mostly intact, however...

Pandora: We appear to still be intact, but that is, as ever, subject
to change without notice. Please try to prevent any large explosions.

James: Yes, Sir... If I may ask, where are you headed to? I may be of
assistance from down here?

Pandora: To find out why there is a large chroniton spike in the roll bar.

James: :: Slightly muttered:: Ah, Deck... 3. ::Normal:: I'll be sure
to notify you if I notice any anomalies around that area, Sir.

:: As Lt. Pandora stepped through the doors, James caught a glance of
possibly the most disconcerting sight possible, in this situation -
Pandora was smiling. It could even been described as cheerful. While
it is true that James didn't exactly know her well, based off previous
experience the situation with the ship must be rather bad to have her
try to comfort him... James stepped into the station, heading straight
for the panel next to the warp core. He was told to prevent any large
explosions and that could potentially be the source of the largest
one. ::

James: ::Under breath:: Containment seems good... Slight Anti-matter
spike, but nothing to be worried about... Seems fine...

Shadow connections

((Main Engineering - USS Drake))

:: Fortunately, the Drake is a surprisingly resilient ship. Despite
all of the damage, there didn't seem to be anything critical. Still,
several important systems had moved onto redundancy's. One of those
was the broad band subspace transmitter's primary pathway. Not
critical, but still nice to have working just in case and a quick
repair. James was just finishing it off, connecting his tricorder to
check for signal corruption, when he noticed something strange. ::

0o This could be... I need to contact the Lt... 0o

James: =/= James to Lt. Pandora =/=

James: =/= Sir, are you able to interface with my tricorder from Deck
3, there's something I need you to see.  =/=

Pandora: [Tag]

James:  =/= If I'm not mistaken, we can not only not communicate with
the nearest subspace beacon, but another ship with the same
identifiers as the Drake is, partially, communicating with us. I
initially thought it could be some kind of spoofing attack, however
its not sharing any data with us, beyond identifiers. =/=

Pandora: [Tag]

Breifing

((OOC: Sorry it took me so long to sim arriving at briefing!)

((USS Drake - Captain's Ready Room))

Whale: I take it I missed something pretty important back there.
::turning to Solok.:: When you say it's "our" ion trail... I'm
assuming we don't have this urgent meeting if it's just that Stennes
has been flying us in circles.

Whale: No offense, Lieutenant.

Stennes: None taken. The ion trail, which is indeed ours as far as we
know, extends ahead of us into the solar system. It’s possibly a
consequence of the temporal displacement.

0o Oh great... I hate time travel... 0o

Whale: ((Response))

Stennes: Commander Solok reckons the explosion sent us twenty-five
hundred years into the past.

Solok: Cross-referencing historical, xenotechnological, and
astronomical studies of this region and the Ishkarians specifically,
our observations of the situation at present coincide with an
estimated backward travel through time of between 2000 and 2800 years.
The apparently recent construction of the beacon narrows that range to
something between 2450 and 2550 years prior to our present. Or what
was, until this event, the present for us.

0o That's over 25 Centuries! That even pre-dates the awakening... 0o

Pandora: That may prove problematic.

Valis: ::raising her eyebrow at the Android's unnecessary statement of
the obvious:: Indeed.

Reed: Any thoughts on why Professor Arnold would have sent us back to
this time in particular? Perhaps this has something to do with...
well, the beacon is new. Isn't it likely that Arnold sent us back to a
time before the accident?

Solok: That would seem to be a logical deduction.

Brice: Sorry - how do we know it was Professor Arnold?

Weston: That's a very good question.

Valis: And who is this Professor Arnold?

James: Indeed, I take it he is someone from past encounters?

Rogers/Anyone: ((R?))

:: James noted a slight shift in expression coming from the nearby
android... Curious::

Pandora: Have you begun preparing your report for Temporal Affairs yet,
Captain?

Rogers We have bigger immediate concerns than preparing a report Lt. I
suggest you concern yourself with the readiness of the Drake than
worrying about  reports I need to write.

:: Just as quickly as it appeared, the... feature... disappeared,
replaced with the usual blank stare. ::

Pandora: As you wish.

Rogers:: It took Will a few moments to refocus by which time the
remaining senior staff had arrived and the conversation has turned to
aspects of their current situation. ::

Weston: Does anyone else find that impossible, though? How could the
same vessel travel backwards in time twice from two separate points?

Valis: Though it does seem unlikely at first consideration, there are
in fact any number of possibilities. We could have come from two
separate time-lines, or the other Drake might possibly have already
returned to the so-called "present" only to return to this time for a
second time. Though either of those could be incorrect and something
else entirely might have occurred. Space-time is quite fluid and
unpredictable.

Danzia: Please don't tell me we're in Null Space again.

Weston: I think we can rule out Null Space for now at least.
Astrometrics apparently has told us that we're in an unusual time, not
place. ::nodding toward Solok and Stennes.::

Brice: But why would he do that. What’s the motive?

Weston: And where is he now? It may sound extreme but he did plant an
explosive device on the ship and hurtle us back in time. He should be
found and arrested if he came back with us.

Valis: It is also possible that there are two of the Professor just as
there are two of ourselves... apparently.

Pandora: Or he had enough sense of self-preservation to have left the
ship before we departed. This may also be the case for this other copy
of ourselves.

James: There is also the chance that there may be a copy of him aboard
the other ship.

Brice: Have we learned anything about the space here? And how certain
are we that it's back in time and not jumped into a completely
different part of space... or phase?

Solok/Anyone: ?

Weston: Captain, if all of this is true and irrefutable then we need
to take into consideration the Temporal Prime Directive. ::pause:: If
we are twenty five hundred years in the past, and on the brink of the
Ishkarian Cataclysm, we have to do everything in our power to preserve
the timeline.

Valis: Commander Weston is absolutely correct. Regardless of this
Professor Arnold's wishes, we have no idea what averting the Cataclysm
might do to the timeline. For all we know, it would cause the entire
Federation to never have existed. It is absolutely imperative that we
do nothing more momentous than to remove both Drakes from this point
in space-time and return them to their origins.

Rogers:: sighing :: Another good point we will consider in this
briefing.  :: Turing to Cmdr Weston :: Is there anything that I should
know from  a SFI perspective that can be mentioned in front of
everyone ?

Weston: Technically SFI wants me to apprehend and confine any member
of the crew that tries to manipulate or alter the timeline until such
time as a rescue or temporal readjustment can be made.

Rogers:: Lips forming into a hard line. :: Are you saying you will
refuse to follow my orders Cmdr ?

Weston: In actuality Starfleet Intelligence isn't here and they aren't
the Captain of the USS Drake, you are. And I answer to you.

Valis: Technically, Starfleet and the Federation have not been founded
yet, but we are nevertheless bound to the oaths we swore to both.

0o What a strange paradox... This is why I hate time travel... 0o

Rogers:: nodding in appreciation of Oliver’s backing of his command
authority.::  Indeed Cmdr Valis. However it remains for us to
determine just what those oaths require us to do.

Weston: They can write me up.

Pandora: Give my familiarity with this crew, I foresee a distinct
possibility that the other versions of ourselves will not accept that
they are forbidden to interfere. Extreme measures may be required in
order to preserve the timeline.

Any: ?

Pandora: ::to Will:: I will ensure the tactical systems are as ready
as they can be, Captain. We may need them to "convince" ourselves to
comply.

Rogers: A prudent precaution although interfering may be what is
required to maintain or restore the timeline. Ok. Let’s get this
briefing underway properly. :: Taking a deep breath.:: Here’s what we
know. Thanks to the good work of Lt Reed and Lt Pandora we know that
the Professor Arnold back in our original time line was instrumental
in planting a chronoton device in our roll bar that has sent us back
2,500 years into the past. As I understand it he most probably
manufactured and or planted the device. He also conveniently sent us
the coordinates of the last sensor beacon that led us out here then
the device was activated. :: Will paused to check with Reed and
Pandora. ::

Reed / Pandora: Responses

Rogers: Very true. Now that device may well hold the key to getting us
back to our proper time once we have secured the time line here. Cmdr
Brice I want you to take the lead on investigating the device and
hopefully finding a way to reactivate it to take us back.

Brice: response

Rogers: Make no mistake everyone our objective is to preserve the
timeline then return home. So while Cmdr Brice’s endeavours are
critical we need to get a handle on what is going on here. Based on
what we know it appears that an “ alternative “ Drake came here some 3
days ago , presumably sent by Professor Arnold. So we need to do two
things. We need to gauge the intentions of the other Drake and plan to
either join forces or prevent them from interfering.  Any suggestions
on the alternate Drake ?

James: Sir. While repairing the broad band subspace transmitter's
primary pathway, I found a phantom signature connected to the Drake.
Broadly speaking, the secondary Drake's systems have connected to ours
as though they where its own. Due to the difference in time
signatures, they are not currently communicating, but it may be
possible to establish, at least partial, communications. It is also
likely that we will be able to interact with the beacons, provided we
have the historical data file on their communication codes.

Rogers:Excellent work Mr James. This may just give us an edge. Lt
Pandora , Mr James and Cmdr Weston I want you to work with this to get
lines of intelligence up and running . Any information we can glean
regarding the Ishkarian beacon array or the Ishkarians in general will
be helpful. If we can mask our presence from the other Drake and
effectively listen in on what they are doing that would be a major
advantage.

James: Aye, Sir.

Weston / Pandora Responses

Rogers: It looks like we will almost certainly be dealing with the
Ishkarians. Cmdr Valis I will be looking to you to spearhead any
contact with them. Please begin assembling any information you can.

Valis / Sarion : Response

Rogers: A good point Cmdr.  :: Turning to the ship’s Doctors. :: We
are going to need some very convincing disguises. Aside from preparing
for the likelihood of wounded please be ready with a suitable disguise
that will allow any away team to blend in with the local population.

Dantin / Reid/ DYAmone: Responses

Rogers:: Turning to the assembled Security , Tactical and Marine
Officers. :: This may come down to a knock out fight. I want security
raised throughout the ship and rapid response teams on constant
standby. Also research everything you can on the Ishkarians and
identify any advantages we have over them in case we need infiltrate
facilities or use force against them.  :: Pausing :: Also anything
that would give us an advantage over the alternate Drake.

Whale / Reed / Trolin / Essen : Responses

Rogers:: Turning to his Opps team and Cmdr Danzia :: Once we have the
means to access the Ishakarian data networks we need to find out
everything we can regarding the beacons and when they intend to
activate them. Also anything we can find out about Professor Arnold.
For all we know he may have originated in this time and been
temporally moved to our time.

Solok / Stennes / Danzia: Responses.

Rogers: The more we know the better our chances of working out what we
need to do and then getting home again. Any questions?

0o Is this likely to happen a lot... I hate time travel... 0o

Anyone: Responses

End of Briefing

((USS Drake, Briefing Room))

Rogers: Excellent work Mr James. This may just give us an edge. Lt
Pandora , Mr James and Cmdr Weston I want you to work with this to get
lines of intelligence up and running . Any information we can glean
regarding the Ishkarian beacon array or the Ishkarians in general will
be helpful. If we can mask our presence from the other Drake and
effectively listen in on what they are doing that would be a major
advantage.

James: Aye, Sir.

Pandora: I suspect a certain amount of 'sneakiness' may prove helpful
in making this happen effectively. ::to Weston:: Your assistance in
this will be appreciated.

0o That makes seance I suppose. We will be under harsh scrutiny due to
our potential to violate the Temporal Prime Directive. 0o

Weston: ?

Whale: I’d recommend that no direct contact be made with this
alternate Drake without first clearing it through Captain Rogers or
myself.  We’ve all heard about the possibilities of temporal paradoxes
– let’s not push our luck here.

Pandora: I intended no more than exploring the feasibility, Colonel,
but your warning is valid.

Any: ?

Rogers: It looks like we will almost certainly be dealing with the
Ishkarians. Cmdr Valis I will be looking to you to spearhead any
contact with them. Please begin assembling any information you can.

Valis/Sarion: ?

Rogers: A good point Cmdr.  :: Turning to the ship’s Doctors. :: We
are going to need some very convincing disguises. Aside from preparing
for the likelihood of wounded please be ready with a suitable disguise
that will allow any away team to blend in with the local population.

DyAmone: What if that's mistake, what if...

Dantin/Reid: ?

Rogers: Turning to the assembled Security , Tactical and Marine
Officers. :: This may come down to a knock out fight. I want security
raised throughout the ship and rapid response teams on constant
standby. Also research everything you can on the Ishkarians and
identify any advantages we have over them in case we need infiltrate
facilities or use force against them.  :: Pausing :: Also anything
that would give us an advantage over the alternate Drake.

Reed: Aye, sir.

Whale: Analysing our own weaknesses?

0o What a curious action that will be... Still, I suppose it will be
marginally easier than analysing that of an enemy... 0o

Whale: Might need your input on that one, Commander.

Danzia: Of course, Major.

Trolin/Sinda: ?

Rogers: Turning to his Opps team and Cmdr Danzia :: Once we have the
means to access the Ishakarian data networks we need to find out
everything we can regarding the beacons and when they intend to
activate them. Also anything we can find out about Professor Arnold.
For all we know he may have originated in this time and been
temporally moved to our time.

Solok/Stennes:

Danzia: Possibly. I'm not an expert on temporal physics, and if there
was a way to work that out it might be hard given he's now vanished.

Rogers: The more we know the better our chances of working out what we
need to do and then getting home again. Any questions ?

Danzia: None from me...yet.

:: Nor from Pandora, though it seemed DyAmone had something to say.::

DyAmone: I do. ::She said that a bit louder and her tiny voice grew
over the chatter.:: We are all assuming that we are the ones sent to
repair whatever damage the other Drake made, but tell me... ::Wanda
paused for several moments.:: If you are sending second ship or even
the same one to repair the damage, wouldn't you send it ahead of the
one that caused it and not after?

Pandora: Perhaps, though the accuracy of the temporal shift may not be
adequate to such a task.

DyAamone: What if we are wrong and they are right? ::Wanda shrugged
and splaying hands sat heavy back to her seat.:: I'm sorry, Lt.
Pandora mentioned how stubborn this crew is and Com... Colonel Whale
confirmed it. Before stubbornly assuming we are right and they are
wrong we should question our actions over and over again.

Pandora: Such a conflict may not, in fact, be forthcoming. We merely
prepare for it, should it occur.

Rogers/Any: ?

Danzia: I do have one thought. Commander Solok. Vulcan telepathy
resonates with those close to one. If there is another Solok on that
ship...then it might be that some telepathic resonance would be set
up. For that matter, empathic resonance might...

:: A pause, perhaps as the Deltan chose her next words.::

Danzia: A real concern - if these are us, they're thinking of all the
things we're thinking of.

0o That's true... I can't ignore the possibility that I am somehow
being influenced or influencing my other self... Of course, my
telepathy is weaker than most Vulcans so it may be a moot point... 0o

Rogers/Any: ?

Whale: Let's head to Reed's office and start brainstorming.

Trolin/Sinda: ?

:: Pandora... glared(?) at James and Weston for several moments before
getting up heading to the door. James and Weston soon followed. ::

James: ::to Weston:: Sir, I don't believe we have previously met. I am
Ensign James, Engineering.

Weston: [Tag]

((Will backsim any conversation.))

:: Pandora turned to face Weston. ::

Pandora: Please give me the details of this 'phantom' signature.

0o I have a feeling that she did that on purpose. I can see that I
will be kept on my toes here... 0o

James: While I was repairing the primary broad band subspace
transmitter pathway, I noticed a signal while testing it. Usually I
would think nothing of it, however due to our incident, it would be
unlikely that we would receive any subspace transmission much less one
from another Starfleet ship. On further analysis, it contained the
Drakes prefix code. As a result, we can only conclude that the other
Drake's computers have connected to our own. I did try to connect to
the other Drake however I received a time code mismatch of
approximately 3 Days, which is concurrent with our knowledge of the
other Drake.

Predestination paradox

JAMES:  Sir, I don't believe we have previously met. I am Ensign
James, Engineering.

WESTON:  No I haven't had the pleasure actually.  Apparently we were
ships in the night on the last shoreleave. 0o Where we... Oh, yes I
supose so... 0o   I left before you had a chance to arrive.  :: He
shook the man’s hand as they made for the door. ::  How do you like
the Drake so far?

JAMES:  It seems to be a fine ship, however I cannot accurately judge
it in it's current state.

WESTON:  Well unfortunately you've joined us as she's taken a good
deal of damage.

0o You can say that again! 0o

JAMES:  The Drake is Miranda class? Its facinating that its still in
service. Still, it seems  to be holding up well.

WESTON:  She is actually.  You know, at first we all thought that she
was decrepit, past her prime.  But the Drake is remarkably tough.

JAMES: Yes, she is. Just the roll bar damage I've would normally
reduce a ships lifetime, yet it still seems to be preforming well.

:: Lt. Reed walked past as Weston laid a hand on the James' arm -
presumably in apology based on his next remark. ::

WESTON:  Sorry James, but I need to catch up to someone.  I'll meet
you both in Engineering in two shakes.

JAMES:  Aye, Sir. 0o Two shakes... What an interesting idiom... 0o

((Later - Engineering Workshop, Deck 11, USS Drake))

((OOC: I'm going to have to stick the same disclaimer as Weston here,
now that I think of it I'm not sure!))

PANDORA: Please give me the details of this 'phantom' signature.

JAMES: While I was repairing the primary broad band subspace
transmitter pathway, I noticed a signal while testing it. Usually I
would think nothing of it, however due to our incident; it would be
unlikely that we would receive any subspace transmission much less one
from another Starfleet ship. On further analysis, it contained the
Drakes prefix code. As a result, we can only conclude that the other
Drake's computers have connected to our own. I did try to connect to
the other Drake however I received a time code mismatch of
approximately 3 Days, which is concurrent with our knowledge of the
other Drake.

WESTON:  Well spotted.  The best part is that the Ensign James aboard
that Drake will never have started repairing the transmitter, so if
we're lucky they won’t have discovered the same connection.

JAMES:  While I imagine that is the case, we cannot discount the
possibility that I may have encountered a similar problem on the other
Drake. After all there is a reason why there are many redundant
connections. Still, I would assume that the chance of me discovering
it twice was very low.

PANDORA: [Tag]

WESTON:  I assume it's an excellent way to listen in.  And while my
engineering know how is...well it's nonexistent actually, but am I
right in assuming that if we can access their computer cores then we
can access any subsystem the ship is running?

JAMES:  Essentially Yes, assuming that they do not have different
access codes, then any member of this crew should be recognised as a
member of their crew and would therefore be able to gain access.

PANDORA: [Tag]

WESTON:  Well how do we get past that time code discrepancy then?  It
wouldn't be as simple as changing all of the clocks back on our Drake
would it?

JAMES:  While that would work... It could cause several time critical
systems to fail... The internal time, is supposed to remain
constant... :: Turning to Lt. Pandora :: Could we setup some kind of
non-networked relay, which we could then change the internal clock of,
and then tunnel the connection through?

PANDORA: [Tag]

WESTON:  Well, provided it all works the way you both suggest then I'm
confident I can keep any of our listening in a quiet affair.

JAMES:  Sir, I think it would be folly to overestimate the other crew.
They are presumably, our match in terms of technology although we
cannot rule out the possibility that they may have suffered damage.
Not to mention, that they will be at least our equal in terms of
wisdom and skill, if not our betters due to the three days difference.

PANDORA: [Tag]

WESTON:  That's a very good point.  There's a chance they've already
made us.  Their sensors are the same as ours so in all likelihood
their Ops officers might have found us through routine scanning at
this point.

PANDORA:  Response?

:: Sitting down at a nearby console, Oliver ran his hands through his
hair and looked up at the two officers. ::

WESTON:  That's another thing I don't understand.  We're going after
them because we need to preserve the timeline.  But if the people
aboard that Drake are the same as the people aboard this one, then why
would they even move in the first place?  They must have known they
were sent back in time, the same as we knew.  So why jeopardize the
timeline by setting off further into the Iskarian system?

JAMES: This is one of the reasons why Vulcan's where unable to belive
in the possibility of time travel. What you described is a paradox.
Assumedly, they are following a version of the Drake that is three
days in the future from their perspective, and that is following one
three days from it's perspective. This is called a predestination
paradox. Alternatively, there are a whole verity of possibilities each
one less and less logical, for instance this could be due to an
extension of the Grandfather Paradox. That is one of the reasons why
we abandoned the idea of time travel. 0o That and it never fails to
induce a migraine. 0o

PANDORA: [Tag]

Like a fish in water

((OOC: Sorry for the lack of simming over the past week, the build-up to Easter
is usually a hectic time in school and then there is the holiday itself...
Still, should be able to SIM more reliably now!))

((USS Drake, Engineering Workshop))
 
James: This is one of the reasons why Vulcan's where unable to believe in the
possibility of time travel. What you described is a paradox. Assumedly, they are
following a version of the Drake that is three days in the future from their
perspective, and that is following one three days from it's perspective. This is
called a predestination paradox. Alternatively, there are a whole verity of
possibilities each one less and less logical, for instance this could be due to
an extension of the Grandfather Paradox. That is one of the reasons why we
abandoned the idea of time travel.
 
Pandora: The Vulcan Science Directorate has been mistaken about a great many
things, the possibility of time travel among them.

James: Very true, However it is still quite illogical to find logic in time
travel.
 
:: Pandora paused for a few seconds, presumably considering the available
options. 
 
Pandora: James, please begin work on setting up that relay. Even if we have no
need for it, it's presence would be helpful if we *do*.
 
James: Aye, Sir. I shall get right to it.
 
:: Of course, getting hold of a system capable of acting as a relay, which
wasn't system critical and had its own internal clock was easier said than done.
Fortunately, James mused, the facilities on the Drake where far more advanced
than that of any personal workshop he had used. Heading to the replicator, he
immediately brought up the schematics of the old Daystrom Institute M-7's and
cannibalised it removing practically everything apart from the the basic
Multitronic systems, connection relays and the RTC he then added a secondary
RTC. Then he pushed the command to fabricate. ::

0o To think... When this was first developed it took months to make, with each
part fabricated individually... 0o

:: Quickly the machine appeared in the slot, vastly shrunk from its original
size by James' tinkering, nearly ready for use. All it needed was programming.
Fortunately, its use required little effort. Essentially, one of the RTC's was
setup to recognise the internal time of the ships and the other the other ship's
time. Then the computer's OS was programmed to listen on one ships time code and
then to send on the others. James as a second thought, added tuning controls for
the secondary time that could interface with the ships own interfaces. After
all, in the future it could prove useful for some other mission. ::

James: ::To Pandora:: Sir, the relay functionally complete. It is ready when you
are.

From what I've seen so far, Pandora isn't that much of a slave driver!

James: ::To Pandora:: Sir, the relay functionally complete. It is ready when you
are.

:: James walked forward towards the Lieutenant. As he approached he spotted the
unmoving body on the floor in front of the panel closest to the core. The marks
on her shoulder denoted her a a crewman. ::
 
Pandora: Thank you, Ensign.
 
James: 0o I may as well ask, I imagine she would have the necessary sensors on
board... 0o Sir, is the Crewman alright?
 
Pandora: Were these different circumstances, I might suggest she had decided to
take a nap. I suspect this is not, in fact, the case.
 
James: Indeed, she seems to have fainted. 0o Way to state the obvious! 0o
::Gesturing to the panel.:: Was it caused by some kind of issue with the
panel...
 
:: James sentence was cut off by the sound of comm chirps, looking around he
realised it had come from the hitherto undetected Captain. ::
 
Reed: =/= Reed to Captain Rogers. =/=
 
Rogers:=/= Rogers. Go ahead Lt. =/=
 
Reed: =/= In light of the situation and in view of the opinion that some hold,
it has been suggested that the Drake's security codes be changed. Are you in
agreement? =/=
 
Rogers:: Reluctant to cast the other Drake as an enemy Will could not deny the
logic of the suggestion.  =/= A sensible move given the situation. Make it so
Lt =/=
 
Reed: =/= Aye, sir. =/=
 
Rogers: I …
WHALE: =/= Lieutenant Colonel Whale to Captain Rogers. =/=
 
ROGERS:. I’ll just answer this. :: Stepping out into the corridor Will tapped
his comms badge. ::=/=  Rogers. =/= 
 
WHALE: =/= Sir, we may want to think about speeding things up here.  The Drake
– both versions of it – are about to find itself in the middle of a
system-spanning civil war. =/=
 
ROGERS: =/= What sort of time frame are we taking ? =/=
 
WHALE: =/= If we’re planning on getting a first-hand look at these beacon
facilities, we need to do it now.  According to our data, the civil war kicks
off in less than forty-eight hours. =/=
 
ROGERS:: oO We have come back in time 2,500 years and we are out of  time. Why
did Arnold send us back now ? Or wa sit just happenstance? Oo =/= Very good
Colonel. Prepare an away team. Work with Cmdr Weston and select the most
promising facility to infiltrate. I will be on the bridge dealing with the other
Drake. Let me know when you are ready. Rogers out. =/=

:: The Captain the departed quickly, presumably to the bridge. Soon after, a
women in medical blue entered and began to scan with he tricorder. ::

DYAMONE: Master slaver. ::Wanda said that jokingly looking Pandora in the
eyes.:: Biological entities need some rest from time to time, you know? 

0o That may be a reference lost on me. 0o

PANDORA: ?

DYAMONE: No actually, she is in a state of shock and I believe I have a pretty
good idea why. I'm taking her in the sickbay. ::Wanda tapped her commbadge and
waited for response from sickbay she proceeded with explanation.:: But if she
was not too tired she may be able to endure the vision. 

PANDORA: ?

DYAMONE: She may be always ready and willing, but if somebody's working full 2
shifts and then stay some more you should kick them out of Engineering.
=/=Sickbay 2 to beam directly to sickbay. =/= ::Before she vanished, Wanda had
just enough time to wink to Pandora with a smile, showing it was all said more
in humor than as a serious odium. When crewman was on the biobed Wanda tapped
her commbadge again.:: =/=Commander Danzia, if and when you will have a moment,
I need you in sickbay. =/=

DANZIA: =/=?=/=

DYAMONE: =/=::Wanda sighed heavily not sure how to explain her vision.:: I have
a crewman here who may have experienced very stressful vision. She is
unconscious right now, but may awake any time. I would like you to be here with
her when she do. =/=

DANZIA: =/=?=/=

:: The Doctor left Engineering. James paused to see if there would be yet more
traffic but only for a short while. ::

JAMES: Sir, as I was saying, I think I have finished the relay. As I'm not as
familiar with the Drake, or at least any modifications from the original Miranda
specification, could I have some assistance setting it up.

PANDORA: [Tag]

JAMES: Essentially, it is a modification from the plans from the old Daystrom
Institute M-7 computer, that we can more-or-less avoid interfacing issues. As
far as the network is concerned it is a separate ship that can receive on one
time and send on the other - ours. It will need to be directly connected to the
subspace array, however, as a result.

As long as the dammed princess is there this time.

((USS Drake, Main Engineering))
 
James: Essentially, it is a modification from the plans from the old Daystrom
Institute M-7 computer, that we can more-or-less avoid interfacing issues. As
far as the network is concerned it is a separate ship that can receive on one
time and send on the other - ours. It will need to be directly connected to the
subspace array, however, as a result.
 
Pandora: This may prove problematic if there is any interference caused.
Temporal anomalies can be unpredictable.
 
James: Indeed, I've tried to program the system to route around most issues but
as you said there is no way of really predicting what could happen - hence the
M-7. It still has some of its basic AI intact. Hopefully, it will be able to
deal with most issues although there is no way of completely guaranteeing it...
 
Pandora: I will check what you have prepared. The Captain and First Officer need
to be made aware, however.
 
James: Shall I prepare a report for you to give to them, Sir?
 
Pandora: Tell them in person. It will save having to repeat yourself.
 
James: Aye, Sir. =/= James to... =/=
 
Whale: =/= Lieutenant Colonel Whale to Commander Valis, Ensigns James and
Brolin.  Report to sickbay immediately for landing party preparation. =/=
 
0o Landing party... I haven't been in on of those since my first Academy
simulation... 0o
 
Pandora: I will attend to the Captain. It seems you have other duties.
 
James: Yes it does seem so... I'll brief the major while I'm there...

:: There was a slight pause. It barely lasted a second but it was there. ::
 
Pandora: Before you depart to whatever insanity no doubt awaits you, consider
this - locating and training a replacement for you will be inconvenient and, if
I choose for it to be so, annoying. Please do not make it necessary.
 
James: :: Suppressing a slight smile:: I shall try to avoid doing so. Death is
rarely logical.
 
:: James left with a slight nod to head for sickbay.. Fortunately the Drake had
directional systems on board. James hadn't learned the location of sickbay,
reasoning that he never really wanted to have to visit there. ::

((Sickbay))

:: When James arrived there where few others there. A man, slightly shorter than
James was stood to the side waiting. His insignia denoted him as a Lt. Colonel.
This was obviously our XO. ::

James: Sir? I'm Ensign James. Could I have a word with you before the others
arrive?

Whale: [Tag]

James: In Engineering we are developing a device to interface with the other
Drake. I was advised by Lt. Pandora to inform you of it - she is telling the
Captain now.

((OOC: Will backsim conversation))

:: Quite rapidly sickbay filled with the other members of the away team. James
couldn't help feel a bit excited at the thought of stepping onto a world not
just removed from his own in space but also time. Years of travelling to Earth
in his youth had robbed most of the excitement from such missions, causing him
to much prefer the complexity of a ship - an engineered world in his control -
but this was a different matter. James just hoped they wouldn't be using the
transporters... ::

Whale: Our team has been tasked with investigating one of the beacon facilities.
 Specifically, the one called 
Facility Eddimo.

 :: Whale brought up a diagram of the complex. It seemed fairly simplistic, in
terms of architecture, it was even underground. More like a 20th century Terran
military installation. ::

Whale: As you can see, it’s half underground.  Based on our readings, it looks
like the place we need to be 
is the very last level.

0o Isn't it always... 0o

WESTON/VALIS/BROLIN: ?

Whale: Honestly, this is very much an exploratory mission.  The info gathered by
our crewmates points to this facility as being one of several origin points for
both the disaster and our... temporal malady.  We need to figure out the
connection and, ideally, how to break that connection so we can get the hell out
of here before the system explodes.

:: James nodded slightly an exploratory mission is far more preferable. James
had never been in a live fire situation and hoped never to have to be. ::

James: Provided there is not to much advanced security this mission does not
seem to be too complex. 0o Which means that something will happen to make it
so... 0o 

WESTON/VALIS/BROLIN: ?

Whale: That’s the twist here -- we’re all becoming Ishkarians.

:: James raised his eyebrow at the statement. Still, I suppose that means that
there will be less security to bypass. ::

WESTON/VALIS/BROLIN: ?

Whale: It’s some kind of genetic injection.  I don’t know the details --
Ensign DyAmone came up with it -- but it is temporary, so we need to work
QUICKLY.  Once the injection completes our transformation, we have exactly one
hour before it starts to wear off and we begin to revert to our true
appearance.

0o Hopefully it will wear off... I can't imagine explaining to Mother that I'm
now stuck as a Ishkarian... 0o

 :: A medical staffer brought out the injections -- tailored to each team
member’s genetic make-up -- and Whale nodded to Brolin. ::

WHALE: Ensign, if you’d do the honours...

:: The Ensign injected James with the Hypospray. James didn't immediately feel
any different, but then he imagined it would have little effect on the brain.
James moved over and got changed into the clothing from the crate. There was a
large enough pocket to place his tricorder in and the clothes where actually
quite comfortable. ::

James: Ready, Sir.

 WESTON/VALIS/BROLIN: ?

Through the ringer

(( USS DRAKE - Sickbay ))

WHALE: What’s on your mind, Ensign?

JAMES: In Engineering we are developing a device to interface with the other
Drake. I was advised by Lt. Pandora to inform you of it - she is telling the
Captain now.

WHALE: Interface, huh? That could describe any number of activities, James...

JAMES: Precisely Sir. Being able to interface with the other ships computers
could potentially provide us with a tactical advantage, should the need arise.
Not to mention the fact that it may provide us with information on why we are
here - we don't know why there are two Drakes yet for instance, but they might.

WHALE: I see.  Well, I’m sure the Captain will make the right call.

:: Whale smiled at James and patted him on his shoulder. ::

WHALE: Right now, you and I have a scheme of our own to worry about.

JAMES: Of course Sir, the away mission is now foremost in my thoughts. 0o Mostly
worry, but I shan't mention that. 0o

((OOC: Snip))

DYAMONE: I gave myself the shot in 2 parts, half in the chest and half in the
opposite leg. That way you'll make sure it will spread evenly and cover whole
body. Where's the team with ear appendages?

BROLIN: There you go First Officer... Should be able to feel the effects..see
them too

WHALE: I definitely feel... oh.  There we go.

:: Slowly his skin changed hue moving slowly towards green. ::

:: The Ensign injected James with the Hypospray. James didn't immediately feel
any different, but then he imagined it would have little effect on the brain.
James moved over and got changed into the clothing from the crate. There was a
large enough pocket to place his tricorder in and the clothes where actually
quite comfortable. ::

JAMES: Ready, Sir.

WESTON/VALIS: ?

DYAMONE: You're late. What I'm wearing are science caste robes, you should check
for the appropriate attire for the rest of the team.

WHALE: Doctor.  You planning to tag along?

0o That reassures me slightly. It must work as intended for the designer to rely
on it, Mother always said to never trust a Warp Coil specialist who only works
on on base repair... 0o

DYAMONE: Yes, I'm going with you. I'll have with me additional shots of the
Dermal pigment colorings for each member of away team, in case we get stuck on
the planet in any way.

WHALE: If we get stuck on the planet, our skin colour will be the least of our
worries, Doc.

JAMES: Yes, I think avoiding chasms may be higher on our list of priorities.

WESTON/VALIS: ?

BROLIN: I will be staying on the ship..

DYAMONE: I'm sorry, but you all look so cute, so green. ::She checked her own
ears and then scanned each member of away team. Everyone seem fine and ready,
all except the clothes. She turned to Whale waiting for him to make a
decision.:: So are we all going as scientists or will you pose as security or
something?

0o Cute?... Fascinating. 0o

JAMES: It may be better to assume the roles of a few casts - that way if there
are any areas restricted to those of a certain cast then our mission may not be
scuppered.

WESTON/VALIS: ?

BROLIN: Everyone is set, Doctor.

DYAMONE: Thank you, Marvin.

DYAMONE: Commander.

WHALE: Colonel.

:: Before she could continue, her commbadge beeped, she just rolled her eyes and
responded.:: 

DYAMONE: Excuse me for a moment. =/=DyAmone here. =/=

NURSE: =/Your patient is waking up and Counselor is on her way.=/=

0o I assume that she is referring to the crewman from Engineering... Good,
hopefully Engineering won't be understaffed with me gone. 0o

DYAMONE: =/=I'll be there in a moment, thank you, DyAmone out.=/= ::Turning to
Whale.:: Sir, I should go for a bit, tell me where you want me and I'll come as
soon as finish there.

WHALE: Transporter room one in ten minutes.

0o Q'eSt... We are taking a transporter. 0o

:: As DyAmone hurried out, Whale directed the rest of the team to the Ishkarian
clothing. ::

WHALE: All right, suit up.

:: James began to pull on a robe similar to the science robes. It could have
been that of a different cast but James would be dammed if he knew. While he had
been steadily learning about Ishkarian culture since his arrival  he hadn't
quite reached the ancient customs yet. James then slipped in the contact lenses
- fantastic devices. He would have to see about modifying them at some point to
see if they could be useful in engineering... A readout of the power levels of
whatever he glanced at could be quite useful. ::

VALIS/WESTON: ?

JAMES: Well, off to my second ever visit to the shards... 0o Did I say that out
loud...0o

(( Transporter Room One - a few minutes later ))

:: To be fair, the Drakes transporter room was very well equipped, as all
transporter rooms are - in here lay the problem. No matter which transporter you
use there is a certain risk of your atoms being scattered across the universe.
In lab conditions about 1 in 100 billion. In the cold of space maybe 1 in 100
million. James tried to reassure himself, the chance of it happening is low and
James knew that. There was an equal chance of getting cancer from eating 100000
bananas or more accurately the radioactive Potassium-40 they may contain, but
still he couldn't help but feel nervous at the prospect of teleportation. ::

WHALE: First thing I need to do is get a weapon of some kind.  :: beat ::   And
hope I can figure out how to use it.

JAMES: Most weapons are very similar there goals are to kill or maim something
with as little complexity as possible. To that end nearly every warlike
humanoids have developed a stick with some kind of switch which activates a
charge of gunpowder to propel down the stick a small metal projectile at great
speeds. To this end their later advancements usually just change the projectile
and the means in which it is fired. Melee weapons tend to be even more self
explanatory. I imagine that you will be able to adapt very quickly, Sir.

0o Great now I'm babbling... I'm not nervous... I'm not nervous... 0o

WESTON/VALIS: ?

:: James internal mantra was momentarily disturbed by the Doctor entering. ::

WHALE: Doctor.  Where’s Brolin?

DYAMONE: ?

WHALE: Excuse me?

:: Whale swore under his breath and activated the transporter room comm panel.
::

WHALE: =/= Whale to Lieutenant Reed and Doctor Vex. =/=

REED/VEX: ?

WHALE: =/= Ensign Brolin has decided that following orders from command staff
is optional. He was directed to join the landing party but has now decided on
his own to stay behind. =/=

VEX: =/= I understand your concern Colonel, but..

WHALE: =/= He will be allowed to provide any necessary services in sickbay, but
while his presence is not required in sickbay, I want him confined to quarters.
=/=

VEX: =/= That seems a bit harsh Colonel, he...

WHALE: =/= Until Rogers and I can review his behavior and decide on a course of
action. Whale out. =/=

VEX: =/= Colonel...COLONEL? =/=

VEX: =/= I will handle my staff personnel, Reed. thankyou..=/=

WESTON/VALIS/DYAMONE: ?

WHALE: Good thing you decided to come along, Doctor DyAmone.  Everyone ready?

:: James nodded, to nervous to speak. ::

WESTON/VALIS/DYAMONE: ?

WHALE: All right.

:: James stepped onto the pad with great trepidation. ::

WHALE: Beam us down, Welshie.

((OOC: Note - If the thoughts in this are part of a Vulcan meditation technique
called Tiltra whereby you try to keep a number in your memory for a time. All
thoughts must be focused upon it, until you can see the meaning of the
number,its beauty and its simplicity or complexity. In its advanced form its
done with number sequences. If your interested back on the Discovery I wrote a
post in which I discussed all of the different methods of Vulcan meditation -
its a surprisingly interesting subject!
http://wiki.starbase118.net/wiki/index.php?title=James-Sims-Shore_Leave,_DS-285#Meditation
Is the post in question. ))

:: 0o 0,1,1,2,3,5	,8,13,21 0o Slowly James began to fade out of *Here* and into
*There* 0o 34,55,89,144,233,377,610 0o James took a breath only to have it never
reach his lungs - a fatal mistake that sent him into a panic. 0o
987,1597,2584,4181,6765 0o Gradually his vision faded into the blank of
purgatory. :: 

(( FACILITY EDDIMO -- Storage Area ))

:: James re-materialised in one piece behind some large containers. James took a
minute panting and heaving, enjoying having lungs again. Another part of his
body tried to assert itself by attempting to eject its contents, but James held
it down. ::

WHALE: It strikes me that this plan may have some holes in it.

WESTON/VALIS/DYAMONE: ?

 WHALE: We still need to try.

WHALE: And we have less than an hour.  :: beat ::  Weston, take point and lead
us through to the first sub-level.

WESTON/VALIS/DYAMONE: ?

Logic & Disrespect?

(( FACILITY EDDIMO -- Storage Area ))

:: James re-materialised in one piece behind some large containers. James took a
minute panting and heaving, enjoying having lungs again. Another part of his
body tried to assert itself by attempting to eject its contents, but James held
it down. ::

Whale: It strikes me that this plan may have some holes in it.

:: While James began to recover the Vulcan woman he met during his trip to the
shards moved to speak. 0o What's her name again... Damn... She played the
violin... Ah, yes. Commander Valis 0o::

Valis: In that case, Colonel, might I suggest we simply,  “wing it”?

:: Somehow the effect of the colloquialism was even more pronounced than James
would have usually expected... It might have been due to the air of grandeur her
current outfit aided. James didn't need to be a expert on Ishkarian customs to
derive that it was probably that of someone high on the social ladder. ::

Whale/Weston/DyAmone: ((R))

Valis: The objective to “gather information” is often simultaneously simply
and infinitely complex.

James: True, but one dependant entirely on how much information we require...

Weston/DyAmone: ((R))

Whale: We still need to try.

James: Indeed, if only for History - we may be able to finally find the cause of
the planets fracture. That is, of course, without considering the potential
intel we may be able to gather for this mission.

Weston/DyAmone: ((R))
 
Whale: And we have less than an hour. ::pause:: Weston, take point and lead us
through to the first sub-level.

Valis: Colonel, if I may, there are cultural imperatives based on our costumes.

0o Ah yes, the cultural factor... I often forget. 0o

Whale: ((R))

Valis: Given my character’s apparent importance, I believe it to be imperative
that I at least appear to lead the group. Mr. James, as you have chosen the work
robes of a mere custodian, you would be expected to take up the rear position...
and try not to be noticed. If anyone asks about our reason for associating with
you, it could become quite awkward. Lt. Weston, if you are wearing your
“bracer,” it would be most helpful if you could inform me of the directions
we are to take via the quietest possible whisper. I assure you that I will hear
you. Colonel, as you are dressed as my personal guard, you should walk directly
behind me.

0o Mmm custodial. I would have assumed these robes to nice for a traditionally
undervalued class. These are too... soft... 0o

James: :: Moving behind the group :: Aye, Sir.

Whale/Weston/Valis/DyAmone: ((R))

Valis: One final note. I will be expected to be insufferably abrasive and
completely disrespectful to all of you, ::turning to the semi-Vulcan Engineer::
most especially you, Ensign. Please, take no offence  I assure you I will find
doing so even more distasteful than you will. I sincerely apologize in advance.

James: ::Nodding slightly:: Your apology, while not necessary, is noted, Sir. To
that end, is there any behaviour we should take note on. For instance, I am
given to understand 0o From period dramas 0o that there is a certain... banter
among the underclasses. Does that exist in this society as well? Should I be
seen to be making a derisive comments of you to some classes as you will of me?

Valis: [Tag]

Whale/Weston/Valis/DyAmone: ((R))

::On the Colonel’s command, the group stepped out into the corridor of the
facility and began making their way toward the nearest downward staircase. As
they rounded the second corner, a shocked and frankly terrified technician
stopped in front of a doorway halfway down the hallway, between them and the
door to the stairs.::

Technician (aka Anyone): ((R))

Valis: I have no need to announce my visitations, Technician. ::she spoke his
title with the utmost contempt:: I am Kishtana, third Duchess of Kanishtikstan,
daughter of the royal household, holder of the lids to the rumpots of
Falligrey!

0o I wonder if the Commander has ever considered acting. I imagine she would
make a very good Lady Catherine de Bourgh... 0o

Technician: ((R))

Valis: Of course you know who I am!! I would have my guard gut you where you
stand if you did not!

0o The poor man looks terrified! 0o

Technician/Whale: ((R))

Valis: Move now, or I will still do so!

Whale/Weston/Valis/DyAmone/James: ((R))

Ensign James - Its only a short walk...

(( FACILITY EDDIMO – Storage Area ))
 
VALIS: Given my character's apparent importance, I believe it to be imperative
that I at least appear to lead the group. Mr. James, as you have chosen the work
robes of a mere custodian, you would be expected to take up the rear position...
and try not to be noticed. If anyone asks about our reason for associating with
you, it could become quite awkward. Lt. Weston, if you are wearing your
"bracer," it would be most helpful if you could inform me of the directions we
are to take via the quietest possible whisper. I assure you that I will hear
you. Colonel, as you are dressed as my personal guard, you should walk directly
behind me.
 
0o Mmm custodial. I would have assumed these robes to nice for a traditionally
undervalued class. These are too... soft... 0o
 
JAMES: Aye, Sir.
 
WESTON: ?
 
VALIS: One final note. I will be expected to be insufferably abrasive and
completely disrespectful to all of you, ::turning to the semi-Vulcan Engineer::
most especially you, Ensign. Please, take no offence I assure you I will find
doing so even more distasteful than you will. I sincerely apologize in advance.
  
JAMES: ::Nodding slightly:: Your apology, while not necessary, is noted, Sir. To
that end, is there any behaviour we should take note on. For instance, I am
given to understand 0o From period dramas 0o that there is a certain... banter
among the underclasses. Does that exist in this society as well? Should I be
seen to be making a derisive comments of you to some classes as you will of me?
 
WHALE: Mister James, you have my permission to make as many derisive comments
about Commander Valis as you deem necessary.  In the name of maintaining cover,
of course.
 
:: James raised his eyebrow at this, is there some kind of conflict between
those two? What had he got himself into... ::

WESTON/VALIS: ?
 
:: Whale pointed them to move on and it wasn’t long before they ran into a
local.  Probably a technician of some sort. ::
 
TECHNICIAN: Sir, what are you... I mean, Sir I think you need to announce your
visitation at the...
 
VALIS: I have no need to announce my visitations, Technician. I am Kishtana,
third Duchess of Kanishtikstan, daughter of the royal household, holder of the
lids to the rumpots of Falligrey!
 
0o I wonder if the Commander has ever considered acting. I imagine she would
make a very good Lady Catherine de Bourgh... 0o
 
TECHNICIAN: Sir, with all due respect, I have not heard of a Duchess of
Kanishtik...
 
VALIS: Of course you know who I am!! I would have my guard gut you where you
stand if you did not!
 
0o The poor man looks terrified! 0o
 
VALIS: Move now, or I will still do so!
 
TECHNICIAN: Yes Sir. Right away Sir

:: The technician scuttled away and the away team continued on their way. ::
 
DYAMONE: This went well, great performance, Commander. Hope everyone will be as
easy to fool. ::Turning to Weston.:: There's a lift shaft just 20 meters ahead,
but I can also confirm a group of Ishkarians there, maybe 4 or 5 of them, can't
say from this distance.
 
WHALE: Maybe drawing a little less attention to ourselves should be our new
plan, Commander.  After all, our disguises are entirely cosmetic.  We won’t
stand up to even the slightest scrutiny – finger prints, med scans, pretty
much anything other than eyeballs.

JAMES: If we can find some kind of computer terminal, it may be possible to
either find a less populated route, or to insert our own details into their
system.
 
WESTON/VALIS: ?
 
DYAMONE: ::She unfolded a side of her robe, showing tricorder and then waved
with the scanning piece in her hand.:: I have phaser, though Commander Whale may
not call it a weapon it's still a phaser. ::Wanda showed her Type I.:: though I
would rather avoid any confrontation.
 
WHALE: Oh it’s still a phaser.  Just like a chihuahua is still a dog.  ::
pause ::  Okay, let’s keep moving.  I don’t want to stay in one place too
long.  Also, this armour is uncomfortable, so the sooner we can go home, the
better.
 
JAMES: Really? This uniform is surprisingly comfortable... :: James trailed off,
realising that he said that out loud. ::

WESTON/VALIS/DYAMONE: ?
 
WHALE: Let’s just try to make our way to our target as quickly and as
inconspicuously as possible...
 
:: The countdown in his peripheral vision clicked to 53:31. ::
 
WHALE: We’re on the clock.

JAMES: :: Noticing the time. :: Hopefully, it will be enough.
 
WESTON/VALIS/DYAMONE: ?
 
:: James walked forward, with his eyes fixed to the ground, very much the image
of a dejected underclass. Then for the second time that day, James entered one
of his hates - this time a crowd. ::

0o Could this day get any worse... 0o
 
WHALE: Looks like for now we’ll be okay.
 
JAMES: ::Under his breath:: Define okay...

WESTON/VALIS/DYAMONE: ?
 
WHALE: According to the schematics, all the turbolifts – or whatever they call
them here – are located at the centre of the facility.  We’ll head there and
hope we can get to the lower levels without any complications.
 
WESTON/VALIS/DYAMONE: ?