Mission 5

[Amanda Rose]

"HOLD IT!" Wells yelled hearing the sudden transmission. She jumped off the pad knowing others would be quick to do the same. "Filter our anything that doesn't appear to be the Captain, that way they won't beam through a bomb or something!"

Jessie gave the nod to the transporter operator who then quickly ran his hands over the controls and nodded in return. "Energize." the Commander said.

Moments later the familiar whine of the transporter sounded and a forms began to take shape on he padd. Jessie draw her phaser and took aim just in case.

Tag - everyone

Commander Kirk
USS America

[Amanda Rose]

> "HOLD IT!" Wells yelled hearing the sudden transmission. She jumped off the pad knowing
others would be quick to do the same. "Filter our anything that doesn't appear to be the
Captain, that way they won't beam through a bomb or something!"
>
> Jessie gave the nod to the transporter operator who then quickly ran his hands over the
controls and nodded in return. "Energize." the Commander said.
>
> Moments later the familiar whine of the transporter sounded and a forms began to take
shape on he padd. Jessie draw her phaser and took aim just in case.


Tegau backed off the transporter when they heard the transmission, and stood ready near
the back of the group. She hoped the Captain would come through, and that it wouldn't be a
trick. Still, there could be any sort of unexpectedness coming through the transporter, and
she wanted to be prepared.


Lt. Tegau Delaney
CMO
USS America

[Amanda Rose]

"HOLD IT!" Wells yelled hearing the sudden transmission. She jumped off the pad knowing others would be quick to do the same. "Filter our anything that doesn't appear to be the Captain, that way they won't beam through a bomb or something!"

Jessie gave the nod to the transporter operator who then quickly ran his hands over the controls and nodded in return. "Energize." the Commander said.

Moments later the familiar whine of the transporter sounded and a forms began to take shape on he padd. Jessie draw her phaser and took aim just in case.

Tegau backed off the transporter when they heard the transmission, and stood ready near the back of the group. She hoped the Captain would come through, and that it wouldn't be a trick. Still, there could be any sort of unexpectedness coming through the transporter, and she wanted to be prepared.

O'Connor appeared on the transporter padd, looking over her right shoulder, as if expecting something there. She turned to the transporter operator and the gathered crowd and asked "Where's Cadet T'Pani? She should have beamed back as well."

tag - Jessie Kirk

The operator replied, "I was just following orders. She's in the filter, I think. That must be the other being."

O'Connor quickly ordered, "Get her here. That entire station is going to blow!" The operator started pulling on switches.

America's sensors picked up a huge avalanche starting in the polar regions of Betazed.

O'Connor took the controls and pushed the transporter operator out of the way. After several seconds of adjustments, Cadet T'Pani was visible on the transporter padd.

O'Connor ordered, "Delaney, take her to sickbay immediately and scan her. Contact me IMMEDIATELY after it has been completed. I want an in depth brain scan, understand? Discuss your results with nobody. I want a detailed in-person report."

She then turned to Jessie and ordered, "You, me, the bridge, now. There's a Romulan on the loose with a highly advanced Betazed. They made their getaway from that base. I want to catch them if we can." She called to the bridge over the comm, "Any signs of a cloaked ship?"

tag - T'Pruk (you are the only one on the bridge, no?)

[Amanda Rose]

OOC: Here's where non-linear posting really helps move things along.

After having settled back into a normal routine, the situation with T'Pani being handled and a mostly decent night sleep, she awaited all pertinent crew members in the general assembly room.

tag - everyone

O'Connor looked over the gathered faces. I have asked you all here to congratulate our most recent promotions for which I am about to hand out. She called out, "Ensign T'Pruk, for your assistance with Lieutenant Delaney in healing many of our crew members and your ingenuity in breaking the Romulan shields, I hereby promote you to Lieutenant, Junior Grade."

tag - T'Pruk and others

"Lieutenant Junior Grade, Ridika Myers, despite your managing to take a couple of disruptor wounds, your past service and your bravery speak for themselves. I re-promote you to full Lieutenant and you will be the Assistant Chief Engineer under Ms. Laura Wells. I'm sure that this will make the most dynamic Engineering department in all of Starfleet." O'Connor gave a cackle and threw back her red hair.

tag - Myers and others

"I also wanted the crew to be aware that we have been given special permission and directive to keep Cadet T'Pani who will from hereon out be given the rank of Acting Ensign. Unfortunately, at this moment she cannot join us as she is recovering in sickbay from her ordeal at the Romulan base."

tag - everyone

"We will be departing Betazed soon as a special diplomatic envoy is coming here to relieve us. Our new orders will be taking us to investigate some unexplored stars and planets near the edge of our galaxy. I expect everyone to rest, relax, and recover for the next 24 hours while we await our replacements, although something tells me that Ms. Wells and Myers will be doing anything but that. Enjoy the banquet."

tag - everyone

[Amanda Rose]

Jade stood in front of her mirror making sure her uniform was perfect.
This was the day...... she made her choice and will now carry it
through. She pulled her hair back and tied it back into a ponytail
before looking her uniform over once again.

She took a deep breath and turned for the door. The door hissed open
and the semi- busy corridor lay before her. Most crew members were
heading toward the Banquet hall. Jade fell in among the crowd.

<Tag anyone>

[Amanda Rose]

After having settled back into a normal routine, the situation with
T'Pani being handled and a mostly decent night sleep, she awaited all
pertinent crew members in the general assembly room.

Ridika walked into the assembly room, giving her uniform a slight,
subconscious tug before turning to face the Captain. The room fell
silent as everyone took their places.

O'Connor looked over the gathered faces. I have asked you all here
to congratulate our most recent promotions for which I am about to
hand out. She called out, "Ensign T'Pruk, for your assistance with
Lieutenant Delaney in healing many of our crew members and your
ingenuity in breaking the Romulan shields, I hereby promote you to
Lieutenant, Junior Grade."

Ridika smiled and applauded with everyone else. She thought to
herself how T'Pruk was always on the job, as far as Ridika knew, and
therefore how she really did deserve her promotion. _Good for her!_

tag - T'Pruk and others

"Lieutenant Junior Grade, Ridika Myers, despite your managing to take
a couple of disruptor wounds, your past service and your bravery
speak for themselves. I re-promote you to full Lieutenant and you
will be the Assistant Chief Engineer under Ms. Laura Wells. I'm sure
that this will make the most dynamic Engineering department in all of
Starfleet." O'Connor gave a cackle and threw back her red hair.

Ridika smiled and laughed along with the Captain at her remark. She
nodded her thanks at the few crewmembers around her who congratulated
her. The room fell silent once more and she turned to face the
Captain once again.

tag - others

"I also wanted the crew to be aware that we have been given special
permission and directive to keep Cadet T'Pani who will from hereon
out be given the rank of Acting Ensign. Unfortunately, at this
moment she cannot join us as she is recovering in sickbay from her
ordeal at the Romulan base."

Ridika applauded with the audience once again. She thought back to
how she had the wrong first impression of the former Cadet. She felt
bad about it and decided that she would apologize later. Ridika
grinned, however, when she thought back to the fights they had while
trapped with the Captain on the planet. Amusing, now that the mission
was over and the anger and confusion had passed.

tag - everyone

"We will be departing Betazed soon as a special diplomatic envoy is
coming here to relieve us. Our new orders will be taking us to
investigate some unexplored stars and planets near the edge of our
galaxy. I expect everyone to rest, relax, and recover for the next
24 hours while we await our replacements, although something tells me
that Ms. Wells and Myers will be doing anything but that. Enjoy the
banquet."

tag - everyone

Ridika smiled at O'Connor's last remark and pushed against the
current of the river of crewmembers, making her way toward the door.
She didn't have time to celebrate, she had repairs to see to. Peace
and quiet in her quarters - that would be celebration enough for
Ridika Myers, but she had to finish the job, first.

On her way toward the door, she saw Lieutenant Wells. Thinking back
to when she first came back onboard the America, she realized that
there was some unfinished business she needed to attend to. Ridika
came up beside the CEO and drew her aside.

Making sure to look her chief square in the eye, she said, "I wanted
to apologize to you...for my conduct upon boarding the America. I
tried to compete with you by imposing the fact that your current
position was once mine, and that was rude. I'm sorry." Ridika smiled
apologetically and continued, "For what it's worth, you make one hell
of a Chief Engineer."

tag - Wells

[Amanda Rose]

Much to his relief, Brian had been given the final all-clear to leave
Sickbay. He was on his way out of the door as he saw T'Pani being
brought in. A wave of mixed feelings washed over him. The last time
he'd seen her, she had damn near blown him up, but hadn't. He
couldn't be sure, but he felt that had been intentional rather than
accidental. Then he'd been convinced he'd seen her mouth "help me" as
she had transported out.

Maybe she had been a victim, just like him, programmed... used...
Maybe he should visit later...

As he made his way back to Engineering, most people seemed to be
heading in the opposite direction.

"Hey, Pendragon. Aren't you going to the banquet?" one of the others
called out.

Brian frowned. He hadn't heard anything. Presumably he wasn't
invited. Still, that suited him. He didn't feel like anything
resembling a party just now.

"Someone's got to cover," he called back, shrugging.


Lt jg Brian Pendragon
Engineer

[Amanda Rose]

"HOLD IT!" Wells yelled hearing the sudden transmission. She jumped off the
pad knowing others would be quick to do the same. "Filter our anything that
doesn't appear to be the Captain, that way they won't beam through a bomb or
something!"

Jessie gave the nod to the transporter operator who then quickly ran his
hands over the controls and nodded in return. "Energize." the Commander
said.

Moments later the familiar whine of the transporter sounded and a forms
began to take shape on he padd. Jessie draw her phaser and took aim just in
case.

Tegau backed off the transporter when they heard the transmission, and stood
ready near the back of the group. She hoped the Captain would come through,
and that it wouldn't be a trick. Still, there could be any sort of
unexpectedness coming through the transporter, and she wanted to be
prepared.

O'Connor appeared on the transporter padd, looking over her right shoulder,
as if expecting something there. She turned to the transporter operator and
the gathered crowd and asked "Where's Cadet T'Pani? She should have beamed
back as well."

"We should have her." Jessie said. "I ordered you materialized but due to
regulations any other intelligent biological life forms would have been
beamed up as well. She's more than likely suspended in transport."

The operator replied, "I was just following orders. She's in the filter, I
think. That must be the other being."

O'Connor quickly ordered, "Get her here. That entire station is going to
blow!" The operator started pulling on switches.

America's sensors picked up a huge avalanche starting in the polar regions
of Betazed.

O'Connor took the controls and pushed the transporter operator out of the
way. After several seconds of adjustments, Cadet T'Pani was visible on the
transporter padd.

O'Connor ordered, "Delaney, take her to sickbay immediately and scan her.
Contact me IMMEDIATELY after it has been completed. I want an in depth
brain scan, understand? Discuss your results with nobody. I want a
detailed in-person report."

She then turned to Jessie and ordered, "You, me, the bridge, now. There's a
Romulan on the loose with a highly advanced Betazed. They made their
getaway from that base. I want to catch them if we can." She called to the
bridge over the comm, "Any signs of a cloaked ship?"

Jessie gave her a nodd. It was good to have her back. She would have hated
to have contacted Starfleet and had to tell them that the Captain was lost
under her watch. Who was she kidding Kelly was not only her commanding
officer, she was her best friend and if something did go wrong and she
didn't make it back Jessie would have probably resigned her commission from
Starfleet. "I'm glad you made it back." she said as they walked out of the
transporter room. "What happened down there?"

tag - everyone

[Amanda Rose]

(Joint Post between myself and Myers)

Myers

Ridika gave her uniform a subconscious tug before stepping out of the
engineering department and heading toward the general assembly room
for the banquet. She wasn't too keen on attending the banquet because
the America needed repairs and Myers felt that her job was not yet
through. She heaved a sigh and continued on down the hall, figuring
that she would leave early. A few seconds later, Ridika rounded the
corner and saw Drak'nah heading towards the banquet hall, as well.
Ridika caught her attention, smiled facetiously, and said, "The ship's
a mess. Engineering's gonna have a time of it. Sounds like fun, right?"

<Tag Drak'nah>

Jade turns a corner and is welcomed by a friendly face. "Ridika!" She
smiles as she approached her former engineering chief and maybe her
only close friend on board. "I am sure our engineering crew is fully
skilled in cleaning her up...... " The smile faded from Jade's face.

<Tag Myers>

"Well, yeah, with you on it, of course. I was thinking of dividing
engineering into three groups and have you and Pendragon each head a
repair team, and maybe cut the repair time roughly in half." _Stop
thinking like a CEO, Ridika!!_ "She'll be back to her old self in no
time, at all." Ridika noticed Jade's face fall. "What's wrong?
Something on your mind?"

<Tag Drak'nah>

She wasn't sure how to say it so she just blurted it out. " I am
putting in for a transfer to another department....." Her face flushed
white as she looked at Ridika's face for a reaction.

<Tag Myers>

Ridika's heart dropped at the news. _Putting in for a transfer?!
But...she's an invaluable engineer...and engineering needs her._ She
simply nodded in silent acknowledgment while searching for something
to say to Jade. Finally, she asked, "Which department?"

<Tag Drak'nah>

Jade was surprised Ridika didn't ask why. "Security........ I figured
my skills could be better focused there." Jade kinda knew Ridika would
be sad over this news but wondered if anyone else in engineering would
feel the same. Jade started walking again toward the banquet hall
figuring her companion would follow

<Tag Myers>

Ridika joined Jade in her walk to the banquet. She was silent for a
moment before asking, "Well, you're waiting until repairs from this
past mission are complete to transfer, right?" Myers gave Jade a
pleading look.

<Tag Drak'nah>

Glanced over at her briefly. "I was going to put in for it
tonight......." Jade started to really feel bad about leaving
engineering in their time of need. "I could hold off till repairs are
made.....you say I will lead my own team apart from Pendragon?" Jade
realized what she said but only after it left her mouth. She hoped
Ridika would not inquire further.

<Tag Myers>

Ridika nodded solemnly. "That's what I was planning," She replied in a
quiet voice. Ridika then looked at Jade square in the eyes. "But,
listen, don't feel like you're obligated to stay just because of
repairs. If you're ready to move on...move on." She gave her an
encouraging smile.

<Tag Drak'nah>

"I don't want to be leaving engineering in such a mess....... but I do
feel I need out. I will see what the captain says. Perhaps she will
want me to wait."

<Tag Myers>

Ridika nodded, "Fine with me." She thought about the fact that Jade
was leaving for a moment, then asked, "You sure there's not anybody in
Engineering that I need to beat up? I mean, if there's someone pushing
you around, picking on you...causing you to put in a transfer...I'm
long overdue for a session with a punching bag." She placed her right
fist in her left hand and gave Jade a crooked grin.

<Tag Drak'nah>

Jade grinned realizing the humor of her question. Since when has
anyone been able to push Jade Drak'nah around? Ridika knew just as
well as anyone how Jade dealt with threatening issues. " Nothing like
that...... its just.... well I am uncomfortable around
Pendragon....... Every time I turn a corner, there he is with a
different woman in his arms, her arms, locked lips.etc. . . " Jade's
cheeks turn slightly red but shift quickly to anger.

<Tag Myers>

Ridika raised her eyebrows with realization. "Ahh...I see." She
noticed the anger behind Jade's facade. "Now, answer me this...are you
jealous of these women? Is that why this bothers you so?"

<Tag Drak'nah>

Jade stopped suddenly as she thought of the reason to her anger. She
opened her mouth to protest but found nothing would come out. finally
she replied " I don't know...... I really haven't given it any
thought. Just focused on how it made me feel, not why." Jade started
to blush again as they started walking. She covered her face behind
her hand to hide her red cheeks.

<Tag Myers>

Ridika noticed the growing redness on Jade's face. She smiled and
said, "If it's any consolation, I'm not gonna tell him." She looked
down the corridor they were walking down. The banquet hall wasn't far
away, now. Ridika turned back to Jade and replied, "Well, transferring
to another department may separate the two of you, but it won't solve
the problem. You'll still feel the same the few times you do see him.
Now, I'm no counselor, particularly not in the relationship/love
field, but I say, if you can't simply get over it, then talk to him.
Either way, try to get this resolved and then put it behind you. Your
mind will be clearer and you'll perform your duties with more focus
and drive."

<Tag Drak'nah>

Jade took a big breath to try and let her cheeks drain of redness
"Thanks for listening to me none the less. Still, I feel I need the
change of duties." Jade gave Ridika a hug. "Lets head in and do our
mingling."

<Tag Myers>

Ridika returned the hug. She looked at Jade. "Alright. You let me know
about whether or not you'll transfer before or after repairs, ok?"
Ridika said, then walked through the door behind her.

<Tag anyone>

[Amanda Rose]

Jessie looked down at her stomach and shook her head. She was getting bigger by the day and soon she wouldn't be able to hide her pregnancy from the rest of the crew. It was bad enough that more people than she wanted to know about it had found out but now she was going to have to deal with rumors and whispers behind her back. Then there was the question of what she was going to do with the baby after it was born. Would she give up her career, would she fess up to her parents and ask them to keep the child while she resumed her duties. There were going to be some tough choices for her to make and since there was no father she would have to make them all alone.

After fighting with her tunic for a few more minutes she finally managed to wrestle it on and then headed out of her quarters and to the banquet hall. She was never big on these social gatherings but her experience filling in for the Captain on Betazed had given her a much needed lesson in diplomacy.

Stepping in to the banquet hall Jessie looked around and realized that she hadn't had a chance to congratulate any of the newly promoted people or welcome new members of the crew. Of course she had been dealing with her own issues, though she didn't want to discuss it with anyone. Still she was proud to see that America's crew was moving along. They were shaping up to be a fine crew indeed.

"So sis I see that you made it after all."

Jessie turned around and saw the last person that she wanted to see, her brother, Captain Jayme Kirk standing behind her. "When did you get here?" she asked as she threw her arms around him.

"Defiant docked about an hour ago. We're on a surveying mission to the Beta Nairobi Sector and heard that America was in the area. I decided to stop by and pay a visit." Jayme answered. "One of the nice things about being in command."

"I bet." Jessie said. "Well I'm glad you stopped by. I needed this surprise."

"Oh?" Jayme asked. "And how are things going over here. Is my old position treating you well?"

"It's fine. We ran into some problems on Betazed but it wasn't anything that I couldn't handle." Jessie answered.

"Well I'm glad everything is okay here." He leaned closer to her ear and whispered. "Jessie are you pregnant?"

She turned beat red and grabbed his arm "What?" she shouted and dragged him off to a corner. "How the hell did you find out. Who told you?"

"I'm you're brother Jessie. I knew it the moment you walked into this room." the Defiant's Commanding Officer answered. "Who's the lucky guy? I always said you would make some lucky guy happy, that was if you didn't kill the poor jerk first."

"There is no lucky guy." Jessie said.

"Huh then how did you... oh I see artificial insemi..."

"Wrong." Jessie said. "In fact I don't know how it happened. I just woke up one day and I was pregnant."

"That's impossible Jessica Lynn Kirk." her brother said.

"That may be but it's what happened. I swear."

"Have you talked to a doctor about it?" Jayme asked.

"Yes Delaney said that there have been things like this in nature before." Jessie said. "Told me I was doing okay and I have been having regular visits with her. We're not sure what caused it. In fact the only thing that we can be sure of it that I am pregnant and it's a girl."

"Well either way congratulations I guess." Jayme said.

"Thank you but you have to promise not to talk about this to anyone. Not mom, dad or anyone." Jessie said.

"I will assume that you've at least told O'Connor. I mean she needs to know."

"I didn't exactly tell her. She's figured it out on her own. She's not exactly dumb."

"Never said she was." Jayme replied "In fact I was wondering if she was around. I'd like to say hello to her while I'm here."

"She's around somewhere. Why don't you enjoy yourself. I'm sure some of the old crew would love to see you again. I need to go grab something to drink and sit down." Jessie said as she walked away.

tag - anyone