Mission 5

[Amanda Rose]

Timion Smythe was minding his store. He breathed in all the air. Yes, it was that time of year again. It was time for fourth year cadets to be getting their assignments to their new starships. It also was the smell of credits being deposited in his account.

The horrors of the unknown, the uncertainty of space travel made for the wonderous selling of charms and other innocuous devices that would "keep the wary cadet safe." Sure, there was always the occasional dissatisfied customer but that was the price of doing business and he was willing to accept that price because year after year, a new crop would come to him.

He watched as a single cadet came walking his way. He looked at the ears. _Vulcan. We shall have to do something special for her. Logic always has flaws._ He approached her, "Good day, madam Vulcan. How can I assist you today?"

T'Pani, dressed in her starfleet Academy Cadet uniform and carrying a single oversized duffle bag approached the merchant with a flat look on her stoic face. Her long black hair hung back, tied in a regulation ponytail, held in place with a vulcan pins. "I see that you are still attempting to sell your overpriced charms to the new arrivals of the academy Timion." She greeted in the typical Vulcan flat tone, showing nothing in yer voice or expression.

Timion smiled at the Vulcan. "Madam Vulcan, I do not even know to whom I am speaking that one such as yourself would utter such slander. Have we met before?"

"Yes, though your memory may be more selective then others of your species. Three years, seven months, nine hours, and sixteen minutes ago you greeted me when I first arrived here, on this very deck, and proceded to sell me a dead tribble, making the claim that it was simply dormant and would awaken when a suitable source of food was provided." T'Pani replied.

Timion's smile faded slightly. "I assure you that any tribble that I may have sold was live when it left my possession. Perhaps you failed to care for it properly. After all, it is nearly impossible to kill a tribble." He quickly changed the subject, "So, I see that you are leaving for a mission? Fourth year cadet, is it? What ship will you be joining?"

"I was not informed, the control officer will be handing out our assignments when we check in." T'Pani replied in a flat tone, deciding that it was more logical to ignore his provocation to argue about the tribble.

Timion quickly pulled out a PADD and smiled. "What is your name, Madam Vulcan? I can help you. I have all the assignments right here. I just need your name."

"As usual, your memory is selective Timion. My name has and always will be T'Pani."

"T'Pani! Oh, so nice to re meet you, Madam T'Pani. You know how it is with we Alpha Centaurians.... Sometimes we cannot keep our head on if it were not attached." He punched up a few more things on his PADD and smiled seductively. "Oh, my, my, my. I do feel for you."

"If your feelings are bothering you then I might suggested an empathic analgesic." T'Pani stoically replied.

"My feelings?" He laughed. "Are you not curious, Ms. T'Pani, why I would feel sorry for you? Not the least bit of Vulcan curiosity?"

"It wouldn't be logical as mostly likely it's related to some scheme you have in trying to sell me something." She replied.

"Scheme?" He pointed at himself. "Me?" He continued the tone of mock horror. "Surely you jest, Madam T'Pani. I really should bring you up on charges of defamation for that kind of talk! Oh, no, Madam T'Pani. You have been assigned to the America. Do you know what that means?"

"Your emotional outburst serves no meaning and no, I am not familiar with that name or class of starship."

"America, Constitution Class starship, a refit. Captained by the infamous Kelly Jean O'Connor. Tell me that you don't know about her?" He started laughing slightly. _This is too good to be true._

"Your source of humor, illogical as it is, escapes me. Do you have a point to make?"

"Come here." He beckoned T'Pani to his shop. "You're going to need all the help you can get to survive that death trap."

"If if hastens my leave from your presence than I suppose it is the only logical thing to do. T'Pani replied, more to herself then the merchant as she followed him in.

Timion handed T'Pani a ring. It had an opaque stone of some sort set within it. "You're definitely going to need this. Obviously, since you are a Vulcan, I would not want to insult your intelligence by telling you what this will do for you. And for you, just so we can put that tribble incident behind us, I'll discount this to a mere ten credits."

"I have no need for jewelry Timion."

Timion looked shocked. "You think this is ordinary jewelry? Surely you are making a joke, Madam T'Pani. If so, your sense of humor needs a bit of work. You need this for your safety. Surely, you know all about Kelly Jean O'Connor."

"There is no safety in a piece of jewely and as I answered not five minutes ago, I have not heard of that name. You really should have your frontal lopes examines, perhaps you suffer from short term amnesia?"

Timion smiled jovially at T'pani. "You are a funny one, Ms. T'Pani. Captain Kelly Jean O'Connor. She's about as unstable as they come. When they gave her, her Captaincy, there was a huge battle at the Admiralty, they say. So much so that while they gave her a ship, they chose her XO for her. She's got a temper that would make your ears burn, Ms. T'Pani. Some say she's mentally unstable."

"Doubtful or starfleet medical would have removed her from her position. Starfleet maintains a strict methodology of evaluations for starship commanders. You obviously speak hearsay."

"You obviously have not met her or you would not say such things. She just happened to be near Enterprise when Kirk was killed and towed it back to port. For that, she got to be a Captain, they say. That's hardly a reason to make a captain. Don't you agree?"

"It alone would seem to be logical, but I doubt that you, a simple merchant, would know all the facts that guided starfleet's decision." T'Pani replied softly.

"Now, Ms. T'Pani, I know more than you would like to believe. See, I listen. That's my stock and trade. That is how I can stay in business year after year after, well you get the point. Take for example this ring. It is a mood altering ring. Wear this and you will protect yourself from the tounge lashings you will undoubtedly receive from Captain O'Connor."

"I am Vulcan; nothing that another says can affect me on an emotional level, so your ring serves no purpose."

Timion frowned. _Damn Vulcans. Recover, recover._ "Ah, that may be true but this ring also has the property of being able to block out unwanted telepathic and empathic intrusions. There is a rumor going 'round that America is going to encounter such a species soon. Betamax, I think they may be called."

"Taking such stock in rumors is illogical. I follow the Path of Korini Dercou Timion, the school is devoted to defusing conflict not by understanding, but by inducing confusion and amnesia. Psionic masters can even cause themselves to be ignored by others and so forth." She explained with the patience of a rock. "Additionaly, my mother was a master in the Path of J'haniar, thus ensuring that my mind and mental processes are well fortified against mental intrusion and manipulation." She added. After all, she figured it was only logical to inform him of that so as to detour any further waste of her time.

Timion looked confused. _What kind of junk is this that she's talking about? And Vulcans cannot lie._ "But you do not know of these Betamax. How can you be so certain that it will be enough?"

"I cannot, but I can be certain that a piece of jewelry will have no more power to protect me then it will to keep your coffers full."

Timion waggled his finger at T'Pani. "You are a funny woman, Madam T'Pani and hard bargainer. I'll cut my own throat for doing this, but 8 credits for you."

"There is no logic in making such a transaction, good day Timion, I would wish you luck in your endeavors, but luck is not a Vulcan attribute or belief." T'Pani replied, then turned and left. There was no logical reason she could concieve in further staying.

Timion waved after T'Pani, while following her, "Certainly five credits would not hurt your pocket any and what harm is there in your logic in having extra protection?"

"Such a believe would be an acknowledgement to magic and the Vulcan Science Academy long ago construed that there is no such thing as magic."

Timion laughed, "Of course there is no such thing as magic, Madam Vulcan but there are things that we do not yet understand in this universe, is that not correct?"

"There is sufficient evidence to support that statement yes." T'Pani replied.

"Then, would it not also stand to reason that this may contain abilities of which you do not yet understand?" _I can smell a sale, now. I have her where I want her._

She seemed to consider something. "Tell me more about this ring and it's origins as well as how you came to possess it and know of it Timion."

"Actually," Timion seemed a bit confused as he related to T'Pani the history of the ring, "I received it from a merchant who claimed that he received it from a race I had never heard of. He seemed like a nice guy, though."

"That means very little Timion, what was the name of the race and the origin of their species; did this nameless merchant provide any truth?"

"Truth," the merchant made a dismissive gesture, "what a strange word that is. One person's truth is another's lie. It is all a matter of perception, is it not? In any case I do not recall the name of the race and if I did, why would I care about the origin of the species. We all are made of the same stuff, ultimately."

"Do you have any proof on the supposed functions of the device?"

"Do I meet telepaths, let alone empaths often? If you want proof, go try it for yourself. I'll take a down payment of a credit and then you can give me the rest once you are satisfied."

"Vulcans are not without curiosity and if what you say is true, a highly doubtable thought, then this item may be of scientific interest. I will give you it to you for three credits."

Timion sighed. "Four. Three and I make nothing on the item."

"Four and you reimburse me one tribble for my time as well as provide a documented sales recipt with clauses for penalty if this turns out to be false." She countered.

Timion frowned. "Three and a half, then."

T'Pani raised an eyebrow. However inconcievable as it was Timion had actually countered with a lower proposal. It simply wasn't logical, which in turn lead her to rationalize that something was up. Timion was desperate to off load the item and the fact that he had singled her out of the other cadets reporting for assignment, as well as having advanced knowledge of her ship assignment. Something was not right about this. "Your proposal is not...logical Timion." She finally said. _Fascinating_

"What is not logical? I am not going to give you a guarantee or reimburse you for a perfectly good tribble over three years ago that you say is no longer living. But I will take three and a half credits for this ring."

"You seem very determined to make this sale. Logic would dictate that you would be better off apporaching one of the non-vulcan cadets in order to make a sale, but you singled out myself; additionally, you are aware of crew assignments, a breah in security no doubt. So tell me Timion, why shoudn't I be notifying security as it is clearly the logical thing to do?"

Timion rolled his eyes. "Breach? What breach? Surely you know that certain merchants are provided with information so we can prepare you hapless cadets for your missions. Lord knows you hardly ever bring the correct things on the starships."

T'Pani raised an eyebrow at the merchant's statement. "I doubt that starfleet casually informs station merchants about any such thing." She replied.

Timion shrugged. "Have it your own way, Madam T'Pani. I think you are missing out on the deal of a lifetime, though."

"Perhaps, but you have no logical basis to make that assumption."

"And perhaps your curiosity is not sufficient enough to test it. The choice is always the consumer's." He smiled broadly.

"Yes, it is a choice, and I have made mine. If that item is indeed fated to be in my possession, then let it find it's way to me. Good day merchant." T'Pani replied and walked out of the small store front.

Timion laughed. "That is the most illogical statement I've ever heard from a Vulcan. Fate, indeed! Good luck with O'Connor! You will need it!" _She'll be back. They always come back._

[Amanda Rose]

After Finishing off with Keth, Clarabelle, Tat and Pendragon, O'Connor
pulled out her PADD and read Cian's message for what she guessed must
have been about the one hundredth time. She had it practically
memorized. It said:

Captain O'Connor;
Thank you very much for the brandy- I enjoy the taste very much. I
shall have to remember the name so I can replenish my stock tomorrow
when the brandy bottle runs dry. Your offer to tour the America is
very generous of you. My ability to take you up on your offer will
depend on timing with the seasons. I would like to see all the fancy
gadgets my sister has to work with.
Sincerely,
Cian Delaney

Kelly never had the time to reply to the message with everything that
was going on with the Huanni, Culture, and her own crew's issues. But
now, she did.

She gave a crooked but slightly dreamy smile as she told the computer
to record and send a message to Cian Delaney.

"Dear Cian -

I will have to get another two bottles of the brandy. I am glad that
you enjoyed it. One of them, we can share on my ship. The other will
be for the family.

You will understand that I cannot, of course, tell you the details of
my last mission. However, I can tell you that it is forcing us to
come back home to Earth. I'm looking forward to giving you a
personal, Captain's tour of America after I debrief.

Until then....

Kelly."

She thought about using the words, "Yours Truly" or even "Yours," but
she was concerned that that would scare the lummox off. No, it was
best to do things the old fashioned way with him. Get him on America,
loosen him up with another drinking contest, massage him and then take
him to bed.

Happy with her night's work and knowing she was going home, she
undressed, prepared for bed, and fell asleep as soon as her head hit
the pillow.

[Amanda Rose]

O'Connor watched, almost impatiently as America docked at the Starbase. She announced shipwide, =/\= America crew, this is the Captain. We have docked at Starbase One. All crewmembers are granted 72 hours shore leave while we do some routine maintenance, pick up new crew, and transfer off the ship. O'Connor out. =/\=

O'Connor rubbed her hands together, almost greedily. It was now time to transfer Commander Buford Jamison off her ship. Jessie mentioned that Sinclair would be handling the details. O'Connor, however, insisted that she would personally assist him and Sinclair off the ship.

She headed to the brig and waited for Sinclair to arrive....

tag - Sinclair

****
O'Connor, Sinclair and Jamison all headed off the ship and started escorting the Commodore onto the Starbase to the command headquarters there. Along the exit ramp, Kelly could see numerous cadet uniforms. _They're always so anxious. God, they annoy me. I'll have to do the whole welcome speech bit, too. Please, don't let there be too many of them and let them stay out of my way._

tag - T'Pani, anyone

[Amanda Rose]

Lt Laura Wells
CEO
USS America


=/\= America crew, this is the Captain. We have docked at Starbase One. All crewmembers are granted 72 hours shore leave while we do some routine maintenance, pick up new crew, and transfer off the ship. O'Connor out. =/\=

Laura smiled as she heard they were finally docked. A few of her crewmembers got an interesting treat as she uncharacteristically began to move happily about the main engineering section gently singing under her breath..

"Almost heaven, West Virginia
Blue Ridge Mountains
Shenandoah River -
Life is old there
Older than the trees
Younger than the mountains
Growin’ like a breeze"

"Country Roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain momma
Take me home, country roads"

Ensigns and crewmen began to whisper..

"What song is that?"

"Wow, she can really sing! She should do it in front of the crew!"

"I didn't think she had such talent. We should record her and put it over the tickertape so people can hear it.."

Laura oblivious as she worked to secure main engineering continued..

"All my memories gathered ‘round her
Miner’s lady, stranger to blue water
Dark and dusty, painted on the sky
Misty taste of moonshine
Teardrops in my eye"

"Country Roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain momma
Take me home, country roads"

"I hear her voice
In the mornin’ hour she calls me
The radio reminds me of my home far away
And drivin’ down the road I get a feelin’
That I should have been home yesterday, yesterday"

"Country Roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain momma
Take me home, country roads"

"Country Roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain momma
Take me home, country roads
Take me home, now country roads
Take me home, now country roads"

[tags or tbc..]

[Amanda Rose]

USS America
Main Engineering

First Meetings

Laura was smiling. Most of her staff were gone and she was in the ending ses of shutting down the engine room and putting the matter-anti matter intermix into a sort of stand-by mode. This meant the ship could go back to duty relatively quickly, but also so no power was being drawn of any significance.

She felt a quirky grin come to her face as she tossed her pony-tail back over her right shoulder and typed in the final close-out order.

It was with a start that she noticed a stranger in her engineering bay, up on the second level overlooking the layout, was a Vulcan of indiscriminate age wearing a Starfleet cadet's uniform. The cadet seemed to be observing...everything, with great consideration.

Wells moved from her station her blonde hair falling backwards in the pony-tail. "Excuse me.." she called..."this is a security area.."

The Vulcan glanced down at the Starfleet officer and noticed immediately that the color of her lapel indicated she was a member of engineering, a conclusion since she was on the ground floor of the engineering deck, and that she was a senior officer.

"Yes mam, Cadet T'Pani reporting for duty, would you be officer Wells?" The woman asked in a emotionally flat tone typical of Vulcans.

"Yeah...I am.": Laura moved to where she could see the cadet better. "We're sort of in shore leave status now, there's nothing to report to. Who's your sponsor?"

"I have no sponsor, I am reporting as ordered for my fourth year cadet's cruise and rotation through the various departments." T'Pani replied in a firm tone.

"You have to have a sponsor, how else did you get into the Academy?" Wells nodded to the cadet. "Come down here."

T'Pani nodded, to the order to move down.

She slipped over the rails and slid down the latter, feet on the outside, in rapid motion.

The whole trip was only a few seconds.

"If you are referring to my academy sponsor, the answer is the Vulcan Science Academy ." T'Pani replied as she came to a practiced stance of attention before the superior officer.

"The whole academy, no name?" Laura looked at the Vulcan female. "Where are you assigned?"

"Gold squadron is my cadet classification, one of the three elite squads designated by Starfleet for those students possessing superior strengths and determination in a variety of subjects. Currently, for the duration of this cruise, estimated at under eight weeks, I have been assigned to the USS America to serve in various capacities as predetermined by my academy superiors." T'Pani replied.

_Officer Wells is most curious of things irrelevant, highly inefficient waste of mental processing for a superior officer_

"Various capacities." Laura chuckled. "Okay. There are a lot of various capacities on this ship, and in one department alone there are a whole lot. You came down here toi report, who sent you, cadet?" _God, she's so lost it's ridiculous. Is she really Gold Squadron?_

"My orders were awaiting me after I checked in mam. It was logical to presume that you would have been informed and expecting me." T'Pani calmly replied.

"Well, as I already stated, this is shore leave. We just came off a rather stressful mission. Let me see your orders, cadet."

T'Pani held out the PADD.

"As you order mam."

Laura looked at the orders. "Oh for gods, didn't anyone tell you we were all going on shore leave?" Her southern accent came out strongly.

"No mam, nor was I informed of my cruise destination until after I arrived. I was also notified to only bring limited personal affects." T'Pani replied in that flat tone as she raised an arched eyebrow at the woman.

"I see." Wells felt a little sorry for the girl. "So, do you plan to just hang out on the ship with the star dock crew that will be coming and going? Have you reported to the Captain yet?"

"Yes mam, no mam, she had already left the vessel by the time I boarded, possibly with another group of officers, but as I do not know her name or appearance I could not logically support that conclusion."

_Green as hell and lost besides…gotta love personnel. To think I almost went to work there._ "Well…engineering is going to be closed down. You should probably report to the XO cadet and see what he wants you to do."

"The XO was not on board when I boarded mam, besides, it is logical to assume that the time would be well spent exploring this vessel for all of it's unique non-documented structural and system variants." T'Pani replied.
She looked at the chief engineer and tilted her head slightly.

"Is this normal operation for a fourth year cadet cruise mam?"

"Well...no." Laura admitted she was surprised the cadet was even here. "Usually you serve on a cadet ship not an active starship."

T'Pani looked around.

"Judging from the age of this vessel and it's out of date systems I had thought this was a typical cadet cruise ship at first appearance..." The Vulcan cadet replied, a hint of surprise perhaps in her tone for finding out that the America was indeed an active commission!

Laura glared. "Don't let the Captain hear that, she'll ship you back to wherever you came from." Wells walked over to a bench and hoisted a work bag onto her shoulder.

"Time to clear out of here, cadet. See you in two weeks."

"I do not understand the human condition to take factual statements and observations in such a negative way." T'Pani vocalized.

Laura turned around. "Do you know what tact is?"

"Clearly a human form of saying something other then what is needed to be said, do you have any orders before you leave mam?"

"Not really. This place will be dealt with when I return." Wells nodded towards the exit. "Space dock crews will handle whatever upgrades we're supposed to get they likely haven't told me about yet at which point I'll have to quickly adapt when I return. But, that's life in Starfleet." Her tone was a little bitter.

"Very much illogical, as chief engineer of a starship, even one such as this, it would be logical for the CEO to be involved in every process of renovation and upgrade, same with repairs. I do not understand how Starfleet can operate in such a fashion." T'Pani replied.

"You know what? Maybe when you really get OUT there.." Laura pointed to the wall…"and see what it's like under pressure cadet, you'll understand. Till then, keep your opinions to yourself unless ordered to give them. The store is closed, report to the duty officer...see you after shore leave is over." Laura headed to the exit. "Computer lights off, stand-by mode,"

The lights dimmed and she left.

T'Pani watched the chief leave and wondered again where her life would be if she hadn't been ordered to join Starfleet?

END

[Amanda Rose]

OM
O'Connor, Sinclair and Jamison all headed off the ship and started escorting the Commodore onto the Starbase to the command headquarters there. Along the exit ramp, Kelly could see numerous cadet uniforms. _They're always so anxious. God, they annoy me. I'll have to do the whole welcome speech bit, too. Please, don't let there be too many of them and let them stay out of my way._

NM
T'Pani stood at watching the procession pass by, but had no idea as to how was who, so she stood there, duffle bag over her shoulders and her assignment PADD in hand simply assuming that the senior officers would notice her and take her assignment.

However, that didn't happen, as the senior staff, or those she assumed were the senior staff, simply passed them by. In the end she had to present her orders to an NCO who proceded to verify them, and only after which was she allowed to board and given a bunk assignment.

It was on the way to her assigned bunk that she passed main engineering, second level, and made the descision to peek in and inquire if the CEO of the ship was present.

(No tags, leads to JP with CEO)

[Amanda Rose]

So this was it... the America was finally back home and they were finished dealing with the Huanni. This had been a simple mission actually, pay a visit to a planet full of insane cat-people, got shot at and shoot back then return home. The biggest problem that Jessie would have to deal with was also the one that she was the most scared of. She had made arrangements to go down to Starfleet Medical, where there were people that would possibly be able to tell her more about what was happening. Well she was actually already aware of what was happening with her, the problem was that she didn't know how it was possible. For now she would have to just best discrete and keep her mouth shut, just as she hoped that Goking would.

As she made her way through the cooridor and towards the bridge Jessie found herself thinking back about her career and the path that she taken to get here were she was. When she was younger she hadn't been too worried about where she would be in her career but things were starting to change. A great deal of her classmates were First Officers on various starships, a couple of them were even commanding officers on starbases and one was even in command of his own ship. It was an Oberth Class ship but it was still his own command and here she was sitting waiting to pick up the XO of a ship that she felt was rightfully hers. To make matters worse she had turned down a posting as XO on an Excelsior Class vessel. Of course in a way she had to turn the post down. It had been offered to her by her brother and she wasn't sure if he had offered it to her on her own merit or if he had tried to throw her a bone, Jayme was always trying to look out for her after all.

The turbolift door opened to reveal the shuttlebay. Funny how she had been so wrapped up in thought that she hadn't realized that she had even stepped into the lift and given it instructions on where to take her. She was practically running on autopilot now. The shuttle that she had requested was already prepped so at least that was done and she was able to get this overwith as quickly as possible. Now all she had to do was avoid her parents finding out that she was back on Earth. The last time that she seen them had gone anything back pleasantly and she didn't want a repeat. She would probably avoid Riverside, Iowa for a long time to come.

To Be Contined...
Lieutenant Commander Jessica Kirk
Chief of Security / Second Officer
USS America NCC-1776-A

[Amanda Rose]

James was muttering to himself. As usual, the Captain did not notice that he existed and left him with insufficient orders. The yeoman wanted to shake his fist at the sky as he cried out, "Does she think that everything gets done by osmosis?!"

He continued walking down the corridor, muttering softly to himself, his eyes and head bent down on his PADD. Erect, he might stand 6'2" and for a human, around the age of 22, he was quite good looking, a chisled face and body with black hair and blue eyes.

As he muttered, he bumped into T'Pani. He looked down on her, "And exactly who are you and what are you doing here?"

The fourth year cadet looked up at the person who had blindly walked into her as she had been standing to the side reviewing the ship's layout on her data PADD. Fortunately, she was Vulcan, and thus made of sturdier stuff, he almost bounced off her. She raised an eyebrow at him. "Cadet T'Pani, assigned to the USS America for my fourth year cadet cruise, and you would be who sir?"

Mattison punched some keys on his PADD, "Cadet? On America? Surely you jest." He looked down at T'Pani. "No, you're a Vulcan. You have no sense of humor. Where are your papers? And in answer to your question, I'm James Mattison, Yeoman to Captain O'Connor."

In response to his inquiry T'Pani handed him her orders docket. "I am beginning to suspect that Starfleet BUPERs isn't always aware of things in the fleet. Perhaps there was a mistake in my order?" She inquired.

"Your orders are dated three days early. God knows why Starfleet is using active ships for these cadet cruises nowadays. It must be because they are retiring Constitutions." He sighed again. "Why can't anyone do their paperwork right? Is it too difficult to check it once or twice instead of blindly signing?"

T'Pani simply raised an eyebrow at his emotional outburst. "That would seem the logical conclusion as it seems that Starfleet is not very efficient in these matters." She agreed with him.

Mattison blew some air upwards. "That is the understatement of the century. It is quite frustrating. So, don't you want to have your shore leave?"

"I have my orders and the do not specify leaving the ship for shore leave, so the logical deduction is to take some time to familiar myself with the vessel and it's antiquated systems and meditate in my spare time." T'Pani replied in a flat tone.

Mattison looked hard and scolded T'Pani, "Don't you dare call this ship antiquated again! Who the hell do you think you are cadet? This ship has seen us through more problems than you can imagine. She may be older but she's a good girl and we take care of her. Is that understood, cadet?"

T'Pani simply sized him up and raised an arched eyebrow. "Emotional outbursts do not aid in communication, not do they have any affect on my psyche. This class of starship is antiquidated and that is a simple fact, personal attachments aside sir." She calmly replied. "Perhaps it is Starfleet's intend to decommission the vessel during the shoreleave and teh captain just hasn't informed the crew?" She added. "Humans do seem to enjoy surprises..."

Mattison wanted to throttle the Vulcan. "Were you taught nothing in your classes? Like tact? If I were you, I would not share that opinion with anyone, cadet. You may find yourself in very poor company."

Again she raised the eyebrow. "Am I too assume that you are referring to some class of individuals by economic status?" T'Pani replied.

"Economics? Money was wiped out in the 21st century. You are an odd Vulcan. I may have to report you. You do not seem normal." Mattison moved to a com panel nervously.

"If you are in doubt as to my identity or orders, then it would be logical for you to contact someone of authority in this matter." T'Pani offered.

Mattison regarded the Vulcan coolly. _Just like a Vulcan to suggest that but what if she is an infiltrator? Or a Romulan disguised as a Vulcan?_ "I think that you are correct." He opened a channel to the base, =/\= Give me the assignment officer. =/\= "Who was it that you said you received your orders from?"

"The orders came through BUPERS, handed out on encrypted data PADDs by the Gold Squadron supervisor." T'Pani replied instantly volunteering the info. "All fourth year cadets recieved their cadet cruise orders at the same time, but those orders only led us to space dock, where we recieved the second encryption key to our orders from the resident controller."

"Yes, but this is highly irregular." Mattison considered the situation. _I wish the Captain was here. She would know what to do._ "I suppose you would not mind being confined to quarters while I try and find the Captain."

"I have already reported to chief engineer Wells, your superior, but if you feel such an action is warranted then by all means it is a logical conclusion." T'Pani replied wondering if this was part of a scenario of sorts set up by the academy. After all, elite squadron cadets were supposed to be able to handle a variety of situations and scenarios that they were thrown into with their extra levels of training.

"I have no record of you reporting into Wells and according to the computer, she has disembarked for shore leave. Do I have to get security on board or will you willingly confine yourself to quarters until the Captain can arrive?"

"I can wait in my assigned bunk for the duration and meditate. It is logical to assume that if I were to ask you if this was a scenario of sorts that you would not truthfully answer me, so I must assume that the situation right now is suspect and possibly part of some cadet scenario." She replied with a raised eyebrow.

"You have not been assigned a bunk, cadet. We just docked and the crew is on shoreleave. You seem to keep forgetting that fact."

"No sir, it was cleared by the NCO at the gang plank, page four, paragraph seven, second item on the assignment." T'Pani corrected him.

Mattison checked his PADD. It was not there. Something was most definitely wrong. _Why don't they give me a phaser?_ "You have a choice, Cadet. You either will go into willing confinement or I will call starbase security."

"I have already agreed to that sir." T'Pani simply replied wondering where the source of the man's growing paranoia was eminating from?

Mattison replied, "Please head to level D. We will put you in one of the crew's quarters there until I can get the Captain."

"As you wish." She motioned for him to lead on.

"I'm sure that you understand the protocol. It is nothing personal."

"I am a Vulcan, you are attempting to apply feeling and emotion where there is none. Please lead on sir."

"No, ma'am. You lead. I follow. I will not subject myself to the possibility of attack. Room 432, if you please."

T'Pani raised an arched eyebrow at the yeoman. "Sir, you do realize that if I was a hostile, and my intent was to have free roam of this vessel, then you would already be incompassitated correct?" She softly said in the typical Vulcan stoic tone. The fact that he wasn't armed was also apparent.

"I do not know what your motivations may be or what you think might happen. This could be an elaborate rouse or it can be a simple mistake. Now, if you would please.... He gestured to the turbolift."

She nodded and walked ahead of him. The evaluation of his apparent growing unrest and discomfort with her presence was fascinating to behold. She wondered how humans had made it so far into space without logic to guide their actions.

Mattison escorted them to the door and pushed some buttons to open the quarters. "If you would please...?" He gestured into the open quarters.

T'Pani stepped inside and turned around to look at him. "Is there a functional synthesizer in this bunkroom?" She asked.

"The food synthesizer is over there in the corner. I hope that the Captain will be here shortly."

"As you say sir." T'Pani replied as she set her duffle bag on one of the many empty bunks and took a seat beside it.

Mattison exited the room and punched a security code in. He just hoped that it would hold her until he found the Captain. She would know what to do.

[Amanda Rose]

Despite her age, the woman in the red uniform looked like she couldn't be a day over 22. That was despite the fact that she was 10 years older. She stood at a viewport, staring out silently at the America. She had dark hair cut in a short pixie cut, and yellow skin with dark, brooding eyes and ridges arching gracefully from her fine porcelin doll features up into her hairline and beyond. Her race, right then, was unmistakeable. The Romulan woman's pointed ears turned slightly as she heard an approach, and she glanced over her shoulder.

Admiral Kent, a human, appearing to be in his mid 60s, a slight receding hair line showed along his short grey hair.

He approached the Romulan woman and saluted her. "Are you ready for your new assignment?"

The young Lieutenant turned, coming to immediate attention. "Yes, Sir." She said readily. She didn't relish the idea of leaving her old assignment, but things change. All good things must end. So, she'd gotten a special haircut just for this occasion.

Kent gave her a smile. "Good, good. You know we have had a number of issues on America. We had that first unfortunate incident with the historians changing history. That's classified, of course. Then we had the Commodore.... I am sure that you have your work cut out for you. If you would like, I can take you to meet your new Captain. She is scheduled to be in my office in a few moments."

"I love a good challenge, sir." Serentis replied with a nod. "As you know." She spoke in a quiet voice, though with a strange southern accent coming from a Romulan face. "Sounds like my life's about to get interesting. I'll take that over boring any day."

Kent permitted the corner of his mouth to rise in a half snicker. "Do you know anything about Captain O'Connor?"

"Not a thing, sir. I normally like to do my research, but only found out what ship I was going to a couple of hours ago."

Kent smiled. "Well, perhaps it would be better for you to get your first impression in person then. But I will tell you this. When she was assigned to be the Captain, she was not given her choice of first officer. IT was forced upon her."

"Sometimes a good idea, sir. Sometimes not. I always reserve judgement until I meet the person. I find it helpful. I tend to have a good intuition about what a person's like." She quirked her lips in a smile, and followed the Admiral.

"Well, then, as you'd like. Follow me." Kent led Serentis down the crowded corridors to a small office. It was a bit stark but tastefully designed. They came to a desk. To the left of it was a woman, sitting with a Captain's badge on her right lapel. Her hair was red, wavy and long. Her eyes were sharp and clearly annoyed.

Behind the desk was a young woman, in her early twenties, she pleasantly stated, "Admiral, as you can see, Captain O'Connor is here as you requested."

O'Connor rose up, did not salute and said, "Ordered, not requested. This is cutting into my shoreleave. You have my report on the Commodore. What is it that you need, Admiral?" The words seethed from her mouth.

Kent said, "Now, Kelly, come into my office. We'll discuss it there."

What is it that you need, Admiral?" The words seethed from her mouth.

Kent said, "Now, Kelly, come into my office. We'll discuss it there."

From behind the Admiral, Serentis watched silently, sizing the Captain up silently. Interesting. Very interesting. Her mind began filing away the disrespect and quick temper, and she let out a quiet sigh. Interesting indeed. She followed the Admiral into the office, watching his body language and stepping off to the side, letting him handle this however he wanted. He seemed to be enjoying this. She couldn't say she protested being part of what seemed to likely be a practical joke. Her stoic look cracked, and she smirked slightly, her dark eyes glittering.

O'Connor looked sharply at Serentis. It was clear that despite her small size of a mere five feet in height that she was a woman of some formidibility. She gave Serentis a look that told her that she had better not find any humor in this situation or she would be cut down to bits.

The Admiral in the meantime led both of them back into his office. He closed the door behind them and Kent beckoned both to sit. O'Connor gritted her teeth and said, "I'd rather stand."

Looking much more comfortable in the situation, Serentis had no problem sitting down in the chair. The slight quirk to each corner of her lips spoke volumes. This was NO Vulcan! Her eyes were alight with humor. The glance had only made it worse. "Thank you sir." She answered

O'Connor glared at the Romulan. She asked, the Admiral, "What the hell is she doing here?"

"She is Lieutenant Macenta Serentis. She is your new Assistant Chief of Security."

O'Connor said, "Like hell she is."

"Here we go again." Serentis sighed. "Howdy, Captain." She said with a nod.

"Don't you howdy me." She turned to the Admiral and said, "First the Admiralty forced Commander Young on me. Granted, he worked out but then you forced the Commodore on me as a pretend Commander and you saw my report on that, ADMIRAL." There was something behind that comment, almost an insinuation towards the Admiral. "I will not have HER on my ship."

The Admiral said, "You do not have a choice. And incidentally, Captain, Commander Young will not be joining you any further. He will be taking a desk job for awhile. You, this time will be permitted to pick your own XO but the price is Serentis here."

O'Connor looked conflicted. _What is his game this time._ Her eyes started to bore holes into the Romulan's soul.

Serentis quirked an eyebrow. Okay, this was just getting embarrassing. Serentis met her eyes, staring back levelly. Completely calm and unflinching. She was a block of ice. Serentis glanced at the admiral she'd only just met, her eyes narrowing just a bit. Then they turned right back to the Captain. "Is it me as a person, or a question as to whether I am a person, Captain?" Serentis asked casually. "I've gotten both."

O'Connor looked at the Admiral, hatred in her eyes, gritted her teeth and said, "Fine." The tone clearly indicated that she would find out what he was up to and expose him for what he was, kicking this Romulan off with his execution.

She turned to Serentis and explained, "You're a Romulan. I don't know how Starfleet allowed you in the system or why. But I don't want a spy on my ship!"

That was going too far, and Serentis stormed to her feet. "I'm no spy." She growled. "I've never known Romulans, only humans. The only thing Romulan in me is my DNA."

"Is that a fact? We shall see. The Romulans have always been a sneaky bunch. I would not put it past them to put some latent program in your mind to transmit details to their empire and you not be the wiser."

"And they call me paranoid." Actually, they didn't, but it seemed like the right thing to say. She settled back in her chair casually, looking between the two of them

Kent explained, "The Captain here was a crack security officer when she originally was on America. Not much gets by her, apparently." He frowned slightly.

"Well, then you and I already have something in common, Captain." Serentis commented.

She harumphed. Turning to the Admiral, she asked, "Is that all you wanted?"

Kent answered, "Actually, no. It seems that after your last mission, you have impressed some of the Admiralty with your diplomatic skills. So, we're sending you on a new mission. You and your crew will be heading to Betazoid. The Betazed are a telepathic and empathic race. I will have the details as we know them sent to your personal files. They want to enter the Federation. You are to investigate and report."

O'Connor shrieked, "That's it? Investigate and report? Am I good for nothing else?"

Serentis scowled. A telepathic race. Empathic race. Oh, the ramifications of that already gave her a headache. She glanced at the Captain. As far as she was concerned she'd been transferred and now answered directly to her.

Kent laughed. "Kelly, this is the big time. Don't screw it up."

O'Connor growled and asked, "Am I dismissed?"

Kent nodded. She growled at Serentis, "Come on, then...."

Serentis got up, and with a nod at the Admiral, turned and followed her new Captain in silence.

As soon as they got out of the office, O'Connor started on Sernetis, "You have a long way to earn my trust. If I had my way, you would not even be on my ship. I don't know what StarFleet was thinking."

"That I was a Vulcan." she answered with the slightest smile.

"You don't pull that off well. You smile. No Vulcan would ever show that level of emotion."

She laughed out loud, though it was a soft sound. "Not to mention the entire story is ridiculous. Besides the obvious physiological differences that would be impossible to hide with a roommate, Starfleet has Medical examinations upon entry to the academy." She pointed out. "My father is an Admiral. He pulled strings." She said sincerely. "I'm his only child, and my family has been military for 15 generations. Damned if I was going to screw that up."

O'Connor fretted. _Another Admiral is pulling my strings. That's going to stop. I swear it._ "There are no Romulan Admirals, Serentis. What is your game?"

"No, it's Admiral Serentis." She said, giving her a very strange look. "And he's quite human. So's my mother. Any other prying questions you'd like to ask?"

"Oh, yes. Quite a few."

Before she could ask, however, her wrist communicator started beeping. =/\= What is it? =/\= she asked angrily.

Her yeoman, James Mattison explained, =/\= We have a problem on America. There is a Vulcan cadet on board, claiming to be assigned to America. Her boarding orders are for today but we clearly have shoreleave. She is being detained in room 432. What should I do, Captain? =/\=

=/\= I'll be right there with our new Assistant Chief of Security. =/\=

She looked at Serentis, "You think you can handle this?"

"Handle what? Sounds like a paperwork mixup or a new recruit that didn't pay attention in class. God knows Starfleet has plenty of both."

O'Connor snorted, "Or it could be something more insinuous. Never, ever think the best. That's the way to get us all killed."

"Just because your paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you." Serentis agreed with a nod. "But Vulcans." She shrugged. "I'm ready, but I'm not panicking."

"You never know what you may find. A Vulcan may just be a Romulan in disguise or something else. Be ready for everything, that's my motto."

"I can handle Romulans." she replied with another of those annoying smirks. "I've got some bruises and black eyes to return to them as a race anyway."

"We'll see, Lieutenant. We'll see. Come on, let's get to the transporter."

TBC in 3 way post coming

[Amanda Rose]

O'Connor and Serentis were beamed directly on board the America. It was dimmer than normal, with most of the crew being on shoreleave. They were met on the transporter pad by a human male, standing over six feet tall.

He was quite handsome. His face and body seemingly chisled rather than made from flesh. But, he also was younger looking, maybe 22 in age.

Serentis, if she were human, would look about 22, if that. She stood tall and proud in the red uniform of security. She was nearly 6 feet tall, and a strongly built woman herself. She had short hair cropped close in a pixie style cut, that accentuated the pointed ears. That could have labeled here merely as a Vulcan, but the short bangs showed off a pair of well developed forehead ridges and yellow-gold skin that marked her clearly as a Romulan. Dark eyes sized up the tall man in front of her, then she glanced over at the Captain.

"Yeoman Mattison, this is Lieutenant Serentis. You will need to get her quarters. And before you ask, yes, she's a Romulan. If we had a Huanni on board, we certainly can handle a Romulan. You understand?"

"Yes, ma'am. This way, ma'am. The Vulcan is in room 432."

O'Connor said, "Lead on."

Mattison turned around and did so.

"Captain, I have a new mission in life." Serentis said as she followed them down the hall. "I'm gonna make you laugh out loud."

O'Connor grimaced. _Oh, no. Not someone else trying to save my emotional health. I had enough of that from that damn cat, Soban._ "I'd stick to your mission of security and getting me to trust you."

"Oh, but where's the fun in that?" Serentis asked casually.

"This is not about fun. This is about duty." She furrowed her brows. "Am I clear?"

Mattison personally cringed visibly despite the fact he was leading. He knew where this was heading all too well.

"Do you really want to get me started on the interpretations of duty as compared to this situation?" Serentis asked. "I did mention that I majored in Philosophy before I changed to Security, right? Now there's a story."

"I'd rather not hear that story. But I will tell you that I grew up with several brothers and no sisters. Don't try girl talk on me. It won't work." Mattison opened the turbolift doors and beckoned the women inside.

"Girl talk..." She scowled, thought, then shook her head. "Never heard of it. My friends call me Mac. They thought Macenta was too feminine for me."

O'Connor grunted an acknowledgment and Mattison noted the uncomfortable silence. The hum of the turbolift could be heard as it rose to D level. Mattison exited first, almost relieved to be off. He led the way to room 432. "Here, Captain." He punched some numbers on the security pad and the door opened.

Inside, the room was dimly lit, a small meditative trio of fake candles rested on top of a personal storage box as the vulcan cadet T'Pani sat in front of it clearly in meditation. Her duffle bag had been otherwise untouched.

If it was uncomfortable at all, Mac didn't show it, and followed the Captain off the 'lift and down the corridors. When the door opened she shifted slightly to fill the doorway behind her more diminutive Captain, and opened these negotiations staring the Vulcan down viciously. When she wanted to, Serentis could be extremely intimidating. This was one of those times.

O'Connor demanded, "What are you doing here cadet?"

T'Pani opened her green eyes and glanced over towards the group, then slowly stood to attention, her cadet's jacket still on the lower bunk of bed.

"Cadet T'Pani, Gold Squadron, reporting as ordered...captain." A slight pause as she noticed the rank on the woman's jacket.

"Let's see your orders, Cadet." There was no humor in the sharp green eyes of O'Connor. She was only five feet tall but clearly could scare any non-Vulcan to death with her glare.

Unfortunately, as obvious to all, T'Pani was Vulcan. A raised eyebrow was the only observance that she had noticed that there was a Romulan in her presence. T'Pani reached over to her duffle bag and took out the data PADD that contained her orders and handed it to the captain without word, then went back to a standing at attention.

O'Connor took the PADD and inspected it. The orders were properly signed but said she was to report today and not in three days when America was scheduled to get its remaining new crew and leave. And exactly why would this cadet be assigned here? This was not a training vessel. She handed the orders to Serentis. "What do you make of this, Lieutenant?"

Serentis' eyes never left the Vulcan, and she didn't even seem tto blink as she observed every twitch, every hair, every move she made carefully. Very carefully. She remained silent for now, letting the Captain handle things. Serentis may have been a totally different person in the hall. Now, faced with an actual situation, she was all business. She took the PADD, glancing down and authenticating everything. "If it's a forgery, it's damn good." She said after a long pause.

O'Connor ordered, "If you don't mind starting your duty early, I will allow you to investigate this. I will leave my wrist communicator on in case you need any assistance. I want every possibility investigated, do I make myself clear?" She gave Serentis a stern look.

"Crystal." Serentis said, her eyes flicking back to the Vulcan.

"Very well, Cadet T'Pani, I leave you in the custody of Lieutenant Serentis. If there is nothing else from either of you, I will be taking my shoreleave before I get a migraine."

"Perhaps a dermal massage would release the tension you are feeling captain?" T'Pani spoke up, her eyes meeting the Romulans. _There is a Romulan on the America; is she part of the cadet cruise scenario?_

"Cadet, you forget your place." O'Connor was all business. Anyone else would wither under that green eyed gaze. She also noticed the look T'Pani gave Serentis. _Is that recognition? If so, what kind? Friendship or something else?_

"CADET!" Serentis snapped forcefully, though she didn't raise her voice. "This is your first DAY, not your first DATE. You do not offer your captain a footrub!

Serentis' eyes went wide, and shook her head in disgust. "Now let the captain go take her migraine meds and tell me what in the world has happened here."

T'Pani's right eyebrow arched at the strength of the Romulan's outburst. "Lt. Serentis, surely as you are more then aware of, vulcanoids possess excellent hearing, thus it is illogical to raise your voice with me and for the record, since you have either mistaken my intent or seriously misundestood, I was just suggesting to the captain a possible solution for her pain." T'Pani replied. _Facinating, I wonder if she will resort to physical violence next? Never has one been so close to a Romulan like this; I'm sure the Vulcan Science Academy would accet a disceration on the subject of Romulan behavioral patterns_.

O'Connor gave Serentis a mild, crooked, quirky grin. _Not bad. Not bad. I won't laugh for her, though. She's not winning that bet she made._

"Cadet, you wanna hear shouting I'll give you shouting. I'm from Texas, and there's one thing we know: It's a good ol' fasioned range shout. Vacuum of space don't matter, they'll hear me on the space station if you manage to get me really mad. Which you won't. Now, Cadet, who issued you these orders?"

T'Pani arched her eyebrow again. _Facinating..._ "Your outburst and statement is illogical and quite ineffective in this situation, but since you were raised in Tex-ass," The word was foreign to her, "...and thus may have difficulty in reading Federation standard I would suggest perhaps having officer Mattison read it as he has already gone through it." The vulcan calmly suggested.

O'Connor looked at her cowering yeoman and said, "Come on James. I think the two of them will be spending some time together and we need not interfere." O'Connor put her hand on Mattison's shoulder and started him walking away.

Serentis quirked an eyebrow high in a remarkably vulcan gesture. Old habits. She had practiced that repeatedly in a mirror. But then she laughed. "I like you. But you didn't answer the question." She said, holding the PADD so the Vulcan couildn't see. It was a test.

"As standard for fourth year cadet cruises for the three elite academy squadrons the squadron supervisor hands out the assignment PADDs with only one half the encryption key, the second half of the encryption was handed out by an academy controller representative in space dock after the cadets were separated so no two cadets could know their assignments. I signed in at the gangway and was given access to the ship and a bunk number and an order to report to one of the department heads, of which I was able to location CEO Wells, before she departed for leave." The cadet explained. "Oddly enough, there was a merchant in the space dock, just outside the transporter complex, that knew of my assignment and attempted to get me to purchase some jewelry saying that it would act as protection from the captain's wild mood swings." The cadet added. "Most illogical...but still clearly odd as I had not yet recieved the second half of the assignment encryption key."

"That, actually, still doesn't answer my question...." Serentis commented, now starting to get mildly suspicious for the first time. "WHO issued these orders? What is the name signing these orders?"

She glanced over at the Captain out of the corner of her eye, perhaps there was something to this.

The Captain had returned from escorting Mattison away, catching the cadet's comments and Serentis' look. She returned an "I told you so," look. Followed by the cocked head and the "Now do you understand?" look.

"That, actually, still doesn't answer my question...." Serentis commented, now starting to get mildly suspicious for the first time. "WHO issued these orders? What is the name signing these orders?"

"You will notice that the orders are signed by starfleet BUPERS, the academy squadron supervisor, and the academy head mistress Lt.." T'Pani calmly answered.

"NAMES Cadet, Names, not protocols!" Serentis said with a frustrated sigh.

_Facinating, the Romulan is short of patience and most likely ill tempered as well_ "I just provided them to you; do you need need help reading the information or is it you simply cannot find the correct page in the data PADD?" T'Pani replied.

Serentis suddenly looked interested. "She doesn't know who signed her own orders. Captain, when you went through the Academy, would you have left the building without noticing the names on your orders and that they were all in order?" Mac asked, turning to look. "Or was I just in an exceptionally strict class?"

"I must admit that I noticed just about everything but I cannot speak for others. But it is very much unlike a Vulcan not to take in details. Perhaps we should order a body scan to verify she is truly a Vulcan. I can call back Delaney if necessary."

"Superintendent Admiral Hillary Nelson, Gold Squadron supervisor Lt. Ajiso Masaki, and BUPERS confirmation." T'Pani replied. "It was logical to assume you would know and recognize those names and their secure signatures in the data PADD which I previously had in my possession, but I see Vulcan logic is not in use here."

"Was that really so hard? Lesson 1 from me: Answer the question asked." Serentis said casually. "I may recognize the names, but I wanted to know if you knew them. At first I assumed you did. Not answering surprised me... and your logic is flawed." Serentis said casually "I wasn't asking because I didn't know, there's been an accusation that you may be a spy. I was asking to see if YOU knew."

"And Cadet, you will remember your place. Your comments are not appreciated and you will treat your superior officers with respect. Do I make myself clear, cadet?"

"Again, since the PADD was in my possession, it would be illogical to assume that a spy wouldn't have already memorized the data." T'Pani replied, then glanced at the captain. "I was not disrespecting her, if that is what you are implying captain. May I have my assignment now?"

"I say that you were showing her disrespect. Do not condescend or imply your knowledge is superior, cadet. Just because you do not understand something does not mean that there is not a reason for it!"

"As you wish captain, I will endeavor to be more observent then in the future." T'Pani replied.

"Was she?" Mac asked, looking at the Captain. "She was so bad at it, I didn't even notice." She said casually.

O'Connor furrowed her brows at the cadet and then gave a crooked grin at the Romulan. "Hrm. We'll see, Ms. Serentis. We'll have Yeoman Mattison assign both of you quarters assuming your orders check out, Cadet. In the meantime, I will let you both get more acquainted. I have rare shoreleave plans."

"You know... She really didn't know who signed her orders Captain. Maybe she should be kept in the brig. For safety's sake. There was that accusation that she may be a spy..." Okay, so the Captain had been the one to make the accusation, but still.

"Ms. Serentis, I said that she was yours and I meant it. Handle her as you think is best fit. I will look forward to seeing your report when I return."

TBC by Serentis and T'Pani