Sanchez: Makin' Trouble

Scene: Bridge

Another shift on the bridge... great. If the people who were supposed to be sitting there during Alpha shift were actually on the ship, more might get done in Engineering, not to mention this crystalline storm thing might get figured out.

Thus thought Ario as he made his way to Deck One. Transferring from Security to Engineering was hard enough, now he was a part-time command officer. *Oh well, it could be worse,* he reminded himself as the turbolift opened to the bridge.

"Coffee, black," he ordered the replicator. As the mug materialized, he looked out into Poseidon's command center. The enthusiasm of each young officer was almost inspiring. Ario took his coffee and sipped himself back to reality.

The morning reports were all in; Ario scanned them for items needing immediate attention. Detailed problems would be dealt with by OB or Pritch when they returned. There were none of either. "What's the status of the away team?" he asked the Comm officer on duty.

Despite his dislike for Ethan Zaret, having anyone else at the comm station made Ario much less confident about how accurate the answer to his question would be.

"Still no contact, sir," came the response. Ario resisted the urge to go over and check for himself.

"Mr. Takaishi," Ario questioned the officer as he entered the bridge, "let's do another scan and see if we can penetrate that damn storm, I'm tired of waiting for this problem to solve itself." His extraordinary lack of patience was getting the better of him.

"Aye, sir," the Ensign replied, and began the scan.

"Lieutenant?" It was Ensign Leva Karr, the new science officer.

"Yes, Ensign?" Ario forced the politest response he could muster. Although he had no problems with the officer herself, and was more than accustomed to being addressed by title and speaking to subordinates, he loathed being up here. He made a visible effort to become more relaxed.

"I'm detecting a significant reduction in the magnitude of the storm. It appears that it is dissipating," Leva said.

*Now we're cooking with gas,* Ario thought. "How long before our scanners can penetrate it and locate the away team?"

"Approximately twenty minutes."

Ario looked on the viewscreen at the swirling grayish mass between himself and the away team. He checked the scan logs and calculated the problem in his head. Something wasn't right.

"Takeru, coordinate your scans with Ensign Leva. I want to know the minute you locate any of our people down there," Ario ordered.

"Aye, sir," they answered in unison.

Ario watched the storm for a long minute, wracking his brain. That this storm was unnatural had already been established by its suddenness, but there had to be more to it. Ario watched as lightning stretched for long miles in every direction, beginning white and changing visible color as it moved outward. Occasionally a branch of lightning would touch off a new center, and the process would repeat itself: hot white centers that changed to red, blue, indigo. Then Ario remembered the stuff of the clouds was of crystalline structure.

"Harris!" he almost shouted.

"Lieutenant?" the ops officer on duty was visibly shaken by Ario's tone.

"Bring the spectroscopic imagers online. Leva, next time lightning strikes, get an analysis of the medium those charges are moving through."

"I'm not sure we can do it from this distance, sir." She tapped on her display. Lightning struck. "No dice, sir. We're too far away."

"Helm, move us within 20,000 kilometers of the upper atmosphere. If I'm right about this storm, we might have ourselves a huge can of whupass at our disposal."

Reaper: Greener Pastures

Stardate: 20721.0000

Title: Greener Pastures

Author: Nelson Reaper

Scene: Ready Room

Time: various

Captain's log, stardate 20610

Things around the ship have been awkwardly quiet. Maybe it's just everyone appreciating the fact that they're alive... for those who still are, maybe it's something else. 

Pirates have been rounded up and will be turned over to Starbase 12's authority within 24 hours. Our mission at the Aean system has been undertaken by another vessel, which is fortunate since our ship is in somewhat dire condition. Lieutenant Mulder assures me that with SB12's help, we can be on the road again in 2-3 weeks.

Louise and Istari have not left our quarters since their return on board. I am concerned for them, but Doctor Dray tells me recovery is only a matter of time. What records could be recovered of recent months are being analyzed by the Science department.

My sixth sense is buzzing, hopefully more on this later.

==

Personal log, stardate 20620

I have uncovered a document I hope is a hoax.

I received an anonymous message from someone in the Admiral's office. It was written in typical Starfleet newspeak, but its meaning was clear. Now I know the reason my requests for new personnel have continually been denied.

My course of action from here is unclear, though I know from experience trusting my first instinct will only make things worse. I have decided not to confide in Commander De'vil on this matter, for reasons with deep roots.

Still the crew seems in a bit of a daze, me included, though I cannot now know how much of my own malaise in due to the message I received. I suppose it doesn't matter... anymore.

Louise and my son are doing well, much better than I had hoped so early. It lifts my spirits to watch their progress with the counselor and the doctor. I have missed them so much.

==

Captain's log, stardate 20623

Today I have sent my resignation into Admiral Kelly's office. In it I recommended Commander Zild Remo for Executive Officer; his tenure on the ship is the longest and his command potential is strong. His loyalty and idealism make him one of the best men I've known in my career, and I shall miss his candor and nearly human vulnerabilities. In fact, I cannot express the sense of loss I feel over this: my entire crew has been a family to me, and they are all part of who I am. They, and Carpathia, are dear to me, but the time is past due for a change. 

I am unsure how to tell the crew about this, but I am sure by stardate 20801, I will have figured something out. In the meantime, we will make for Starbase Arcadia, where I'm sure Captain Bell will gladly install Commander De'vil as the new CO of Carpathia. My next assignment is uncertain, but I plan to inquire outside Starfleet.

==

Personal log, stardate 20710

I got a reply today from my inquiry at UCLA, and I have been offered an associate faculty position in the Department of History! On-campus housing is available for the three of us beginning in just under a month. I broke the news over dinner and for the first time in weeks we celebrated as if we'd never been apart. I will send my acceptance and make preparations in the morning, and hopefully break the news to the crew.

==

Captain's log, stardate 20714

Today a friend has died. Doctor Katherine Dray died of unknown causes at 1105, as reported by Doctor Steele. Katherine's career has been exemplary, and she will be missed. During her short time on Carpathia, she made friends of us all. I have the unfortunate duty to contact her friends and family, which include Captain Bell, her former CO. I know they were once great friends, and she will mourn with us. A memorial has been planned in Katherine's honor, but it will be a long time before I will be at peace with her death.

We left SB12 only four days ago, which puts us just over a week away from Starbase Arcadia at warp 5, currently our maximum speed. A response to my resignation has yet to come; I am unsure what the Admiral has planned for my ship or my crew. This makes me uneasy, but I am sure they will be in good hands.

==

Personal log, stardate 20719

I found out yesterday that Carpathia is to be decomissioned. HQ is sending the crew invitations to come aboard a new science vessel as if it were a birthday party. I know some will go, they deserve the best in their careers. I hope they find success.

My heart is broken.

I know inside the pain is part of the process of letting go, and would come regardless of Carpathia's fate. But it seems so futile now, all the effort we have made to restore her from the looting. This ship is our home. I thank the Maker my family and I have greener pastures ahead, but I feel like I have deserted the crew to an uncertain fate.

==

Captain's log, stardate 20721

In two days, we will arrive at Starbase Arcadia, and I will depart for Utopia Planetia. I will take the USS Erinyes for reasssignment, go through outprocessing for my discharge, and from there... to Earth.

I have had the privilege to command one of the finest ships, some of the finest officers, in the fleet. For that I am grateful. I have made and lost many friends; I will never forget them. My 2½ years on Carpathia have been the most memorable of my life. May all of you who I leave behind fare well in the futures you choose for yourselves. It has been an honor.

Captain Nelson S. Reaper

Commanding Officer

USS Carpathia

NCC-17499

NRPG:

The Road Goes Ever On

Still round the corner there may wait

A new road or a secret gate,

And though I oft have passed them by,

A day will come at last when I

Shall take the hidden paths that run

West of the Moon, East of the Sun.

(J.R.R.Tolkien)

Goodbye, my friends.

http:/soultrek.net/carpathia/

_______________________________________

"Vera Pro Gratiis" (Truth Before Favor)

Reaper: Broken Dreams Remade

Stardate: 20623.2212
Title: Broken Dream Remade
Author: Nelson Reaper
Scene: Pirate ship
Time: After "Scenes From A Memory"

Nelson led the away team himself, after assuring Zild all was well. He knew inside that even if all was not well, the COS would remedy that in short order.

The pirate ship was a mess of looted crap, among which were parts of Carpathia. Many of them looked unsalvagable by Starfleet standards; he was sure, though, they'd fetch a hefty bounty on the black market. Captain Reaper dispatched most of his team to look over the ship and report on the stolen goods, then headed toward the main hold.

The doors opened and a stench nearly overwhelmed the Carpathian officers. After recovering, they stepped inside. One of the main docking doors was near the entrance, nearby several crates were stacked. Close inspection revealed the contents stenciled on the sides: all were filled with luxury goods that were normally hard to come by, even in places like Starbase Arcadia. There were a few dozen metric tons of various ores, and some crates that appeared to contain munitions.

"Captain," Lieutenant Jordan called over from a computer terminal. Nelson approached.

"What is it, Lil?" he asked.

"I've been looking over the manifest, all of these crates come from worlds or governments not recognized by the Federation," Jordan said.

"That's no surprise, is it? No respectable people would do business with pirates, especially if they expected support from the Federation," Nelson explained.

"That's not the only thing I noticed, sir. Almost all of them come from known slave-trading worlds."

Nelson's mind reeled. Images of barbarism filled his head as he fathomed the practice of the sale of sentient beings. Then Blue's words rang in his ears, "...they are there for you. All along, I saved them, for you." Reaper's eyes flashed, visibly startling Lieutenant Jordan.

"Scan the hold. This isn't the whole thing, look for hidden doors or hatches." He tapped his combadge and recalled the away team to help.

Moments later, it was found. A hatch was uncovered by moving an empty crate, two officers had it open by the time Nelson reached it. He climbed inside immediately.

Here is where the stench was coming from. Two dozen or so empty crates made makeshift homes for what looked like fifty or more people. As the rest of the team filed in, Nelson took a tricorder from Lt. Jordan.

"Call Carpathia, tell Doctor Dray to expect a full house. Everybody on the move to help these people out." Each officer moved toward the crowd that had started to gather. Nelson looked down at the tricorder and moved elsewhere.

He followed a signal to a bulkhead where another hidden hatch was found. He opened it. Inside was a small storage compartment. He climbed inside.

His eyes had to adjust to the dimness, but the tricorder led him onward. At the back of the room, he found two people sleeping in beds of rags. One was a woman, the other a child. He rechecked the tricorder, there was no doubt left in him.

He knelt and wept. The woman began to stir. Clearing his eyes, Nelson whispered, "Louise?"

Captain Nelson Reaper
Commander
USS Carpathia
NCC-17499

Reaper: Scenes From A Memory

Stardate: 20531.2349
Title: Scenes From A Memory
Author: Nelson Reaper
Time: After "The Yin and the Yang"
Scene: Auxiliary Control, Bridge

"Well well... long time no see, Blue." Nelson looked long at the woman before him, and did not try to hide the predatory accents in his voice. "Ever since that night at the bar... what was it? Omar's... of course." He undid her gag.

"So good to see you, Sonny. Who would've known you'd make it so far," she looked around her, presenting the ship with her eyes, "...Captain."

"That was a long time ago," Nelson replied simply.

"But the best time in your life... or so you said to me once," Blue answered snidely.

Nelson laughed out loud and moved directly in front of her, sitting on a fallen chunk of desk before her. "Fifteen years, and you still haven't changed. Still the same sweet Blue. How is it we meet again here? It's a shame, you know. It could have been so much better."

"It still could be, Sonny. Chances are that bug you let loose will take out all but our shapeshifter within 24 hours. The ship is yours, if not now then very soon. Just mosy them all over to the nearest starbase for questioning, and I'll escape with my ship... no harm done."

Nelson shook his head and smiled. "Now Blue, you know any other Starfleet captain wouldn't even take the time to talk to you."

"But you're not just any Starfleet captain, are you? You and I... we're special."

"WERE special, Blue. Sophomore summer off from the Academy was definitely a time to remember, and those eight long weeks in San Diego I'll never forget. But that was a different time... a simpler time."

"We were both a lot younger then," Blue said, seeming far away. She shook her head and looked at Nelson. "You have to believe I never meant for it to end that way. That night at Omar's was... I dont' know. I never really figured out why I left like that. It never would have worked anyway."

"It doesn't matter anymore. I moved on because I had to, I wanted to. I had so much to do then. We had different places to go."

Suddenly, Nelson saw just out of his peripheral vision as Blue's hands came out from behind her and reached for the weapon of one of her fallen comrades. The bond of sincerity that had seemingly been forged suddenly came apart as Nelson realized she'd probably meant to kill him all along. She raised the weapon-- he knew it would stop at his chest. He instinctively drew his own phaser and fired nearly point blank. She did manage to pull off the shot, but it just missed his shoulder and hit somewhere behind him.

The look of pain on Blue's face was matched in intensity by the look of betrayal on Nelson's. She dropped the weapon and fell against the bulkhead. She opened her eyes slowly and looked... but not at Nelson, behind him, just over his shoulder. She smiled as if satisfied, and visibly surrendered to her injuries.

Nelson turned around just in time to avoid being fallen on by the body of a man. It was the pirate captain, Ratagan, and he'd been weilding a knife meant for Nelson. It fell on the deckplate with a thump, and was immediately covered with his corpse. The telltale mark of a secondary phaser burn on the center of his back meant Blue's aim had been true. She hadn't betrayed him, she'd saved his life.

Nelson turned and dropped the phaser, and reached for Blue.

"Sonny..." she coughed up black blood. "In the hold of my ship... they are there for you. All along... I saved them, for you."

And then she was dead.

Captain Nelson Reaper
Commander
USS Carpathia
NCC-17499

Reaper: The Yin and the Yang

Stardate: 20531.2349
Title: The Yin and the Yang
Author: Nelson Reaper
Time: After "Ultimatum" and "Come Hell or High Water"
Scene: Auxiliary Control, Bridge

Captain Reaper listened hopefully after delivering his ultimatum to the pirates, but no response came. Finally, he looked around the room to find out what had happened to his team.

The officers were everywhere, and only two were standing. Monday and Reese were unconscious, while Yamashita and Mitchell were rubbing various parts of their bodies that had collided with various parts of the ship.

Immediately, they all moved toward the fallen. Reaper and Mitchell went to Reese's side, quickly assessing the officer's vital signs. "It looks bad, Captain," Mitchell said. "Breathing is shallow and the heartbeat is erratic."

Nelson tore open the man's uniform, revealing the large wound over his entire right rib cage. "The area's warm," Nelson said, "and every one of these ribs is broken. This man will bleed to death inside his own lungs if we don't get him out of here now." Mitchell nodded his agreement.

Yamashita called over from Monday's side. "He'll be alright, just a hard knock on the head. I don't recommend jarring him though, he'll likely be in a lot of pain when he wakes."

Nelson's mind churned, but he could think of no other alternative. Finally, he said, "One of us needs to get Reese to Sickbay."

"I'll do it," Mitchell volunteered. "But what about Monday?"

"He'll be safe here. We need as many bodies as possible when we move forward," Nelson replied. Yamashita and Mitchell nodded their agreement.

[Beta successful and secured,] was heard over the now open shipwide comlink.

"Pr'Zal's taken the bridge," Reaper said as he helped Mitchell lift Reese. "We need to move there now."

"Be right there, sir," Yamashita answered. Nelson looked back to see her leave her canteen and and Reese's phaser next to Monday. She stood and moved with a vengance in her stride. "Ready, captain."

=^=

Captain Reaper and Ensign Yamashita moved openly toward the bridge. Along the way, they encountered several makeshift strike teams moving through the ship, having secured more and more as they moved forward. Several surviving pirates had been rooted out in recent minutes, having succumbed to the initial stages of the Gana Alti virus. Apparently, however, most chose to stay hidden and die, or were regrouping with what energy they had left.

Once on deck 4, there were enough liberated crew that they had an escort to the bridge. Ensign Pr'Zal was in the command chair and stood when Reaper entered.

"Captain on the bridge!" she hollered.

Each officer came to attention where they stood, a courtesy usually only reserved for formal occasions. Nelson breathed in the collective pride and accomplishment of the entire crew as he strode forward. "As you were," he said.

Ensign Pr'Zal approached the captain as Yamashita moved to assist the others. "The bridge has been secured," she reported. "We are working on a full status report, but many of the ship's sensors have been disabled. We don't know the extent of the damage, but it seems we've been pillaged quite effectively."

"Indeed," Reaper barely said. "Keep working on it," he continued aloud. "Coordinate with the senior officers you can reach to reconstruct ship's systems one by one. Good work, everyone!" he spoke loudly enough for the whole bridge to hear him, but looked and smiled at Ensign Pr'Zal.

"One of the intruders has been detained in your Ready Room, sir," Pr'Zal said just as Nelson began to move away. He promptly turned in the opposite direction and headed aft.

"Thank you very much, Ensign," he said.

The door to the captain's office was leaning against the bulkhead in an attempt to make it look normal. Nelson glanced at it as he moved past into the shambles of his Ready Room. The guard there came to attention.

"Where is the prisoner?" Nelson demanded. The guard moved aside and Nelson could see the form of a woman bound on the floor. She looked up at him and their eyes met.

"Dismissed, crewman. I will deal with the pirate privately," Reaper ordered without taking his eyes off the woman. Quietly, the guard left.

Reaper silently regarded the woman while she surveyed him. Though bound, gagged, and wounded, she did not look defeated. Her eyes especially challenged him with an uncommon pride.

"Well well... long time no see, Blue."

Captain Nelson Reaper
Commander
USS Carpathia
NCC-17499

Reaper: Ultimatum

Stardate: 20531.2311
Title: Ultimatum
Author: Nelson Reaper
Time: After "Components"
Scene: Auxiliary Control

Reaper's team moved silently through the Jeffries tubes toward Auxiliary Control. Scouting ahead of him were Ensign Mitchell and Lieutenant Monday. Behind, Lieutenant Reese and Ensign Yamashita monitored their progress. Silently, Nelson hoped the other teams he'd dispatched were moving as smoothly as his.

Suddenly, Reaper's combadge emitted a startling noise [Capt.....his is....Mulder......hear me?]. He immediately silenced it, although any pirates in earshot of the noise had already been alerted.

Nelson cursed himself for allowing such a blatant oversight of preparation, but changed his thinking quickly to thankfulness that Mulder and his officers were safe. He glanced over his shoulder and looked back at Kimiko Yamashita. She was holding a tricorder, and shook her head urgently.

"Let's move," Reaper ordered. "Will engineering be able to cut into any of the auxiliary control mechanisms?"

"No, Captain," Andy Reese answered. He was one of the newest engineers on board, and seemed to know the Jeffries tubes like the back of his hand. "We'll need to access these junctions here... and here." He pointed out schematics on a PADD as he spoke. "Once we're in, we'll have to signal Engineering to override anything and everything that's happening on the bridge. They'll be able to take control then."

Reaper nodded to Ensign Yamashita. "Code our progress to Beta Team. Move out."

==

Several of the plasma conduits were exposed in ways only meant for drydock maintenance, having been expertly dissected by Reese and Yamashita. With their assistance, Reaper handled the final bypass node, and connected it when they nodded their okay.

All hell broke loose.

The ship lurched violently, throwing most of Alpha Team against the nearest bulkhead. Reaper himself was bashed against a control kiosk, but the shunt held. The flow of power had been successfully rerouted between the helm controls and Engineering. Now, it was up to Commander Remo. Nelson waited the breathless seconds without moving.

[Remo to Reaper, you're on.]

Immediately the captain stood and spoke, knowing his voice would be heard all over the ship. "This is Nelson Reaper, captain of the Carpathia. Attention to the invaders: my science officer has released a sample of a lethal virus that we encountered not too long ago. We have established a link between four operating units of personnel, and have locked out all control. You have two choices, and you have them right now. You can either come out and fight, or you can surrender and get the hell off my ship. Either way... you lose. Throw down your weapons and report to the ship's brig. Acknowledge."


Captain Nelson Reaper
Commander
USS Carpathia
NCC-17499

Pr'Zal: Come Hell or High Water

Stardate:  20531.1456
Author:  Kitanna Pr'Zal
Subject:  Come Hell Or High Water
Time: After 'Components' and before and during 'Bite Me!'
Scene:  Bridge

*** Initially on the Bridge ***

Beta Team's members were thrown out of the conduits into the bridge by the concussion of the ship's sudden lack of movement. Inman took a laser bolt to the chest and was killed instantly when she entered the room first. nce Kitanna's feet hit the floor, she retaliated by swinging her rifle and smashing the butt into the jaw of one of the ship's invaders. The man staggered backward, blood pouring copiously from his mouth, and tumbled over one of the navigation consoles, unconscious.  Phaser fire erupting around her, she jumped into the vacant seat and regained control, bringing the ship out of its literal drop through space.

"Shit! That was close!" Kitanna heard the rest of Beta Team taking advantage of the surprise 'fall out' from the Jefferies tube as phaser fire continued around her. Ducking several times, she motioned for another Ensign to take the helm. "Make sure NO ONE takes control of this helm but you or the Captain... understood?"

"Aye, Sir," came the simple reply.

Turning, Kitanna watched as another Carpathia crewman, Lieutenant Cray from Alien Sciences, fell at the hand of one of the remaining pirates. No longer able to control the rage building inside her, she ran full force toward the over-sized intruder.  Come hell or high water she was going to help take back the Captain's ship and...their home.

Screaming, she slammed into the figure from behind, causing both individuals to hit the floor of the bridge... hard. Within seconds, she had stood and, stepping on the man's throat, fired her phaser rifle into his chest. Looking up, she watched as Ensign Baitman strangled an intruder trying to shutdown the ventilation system. Hearing a click behind her, Kit instinctively turned and fired, dropping the last pirate face first into the floor.
==================

"Get another team to take back Engineering. Honestly, how hard is it to take a ship? WE ARE FARKING PIRATES FOR Q's SAKE!"

She stomped around in her thigh high boots and leather outfit like an angry dominatrix.

"I think it's time to kill the Monkey's Captain... do we know where he is?!?"  Before anyone could answer the door to the Captain's Ready Room opened and several Starfleet officers entered, led by what looked like a Vulcan half-breed.

"What the...!" Kitanna took all of three seconds to fire three times, hitting Blue in each leg and once in the stomach.  The pirate dropped to the floor, but not before firing back, hitting Kitanna in the left shoulder, causing her to scream in pain.

The remaining officers quickly disabled the leather-clad woman and bound her hands and feet until reinforcements arrived.  One officer remained, pointed his phaser at her head, smiling.

"Keep her alive but immobile until the Captain gets here," grimmaced Kitanna.  Slapping her comm badge, Kitanna uttered four words, "Beta successful and secured."

Ensign Kitanna Pr'Zal
Security Officer
USS Carpathia

Sanchez: Damage, Inc.

Scene: Jeffries tube 1B2BE, USS Poseidon

Slowly Ario calculated the necessary adjustments to the plasma flow inducer. The PADD held loosely in his hand confirmed what his gut told him: a flux variance of 0.0613 microns. He made the necessary adjustment with a remote microspanner, and moved to the next junction.

As he read the flow rate and calculated the flux variance, the back of his mind wandered. He'd heard of men having 'down' cylcles before, every month, every lunar period, whatever... but of course it was all crap. After what he'd been through in his days, there was no way any stupid hormonal levels or moods could possibly bring him down. His resolve was rock solid...
wasn't it?

Again he moved on to the next flow junction and made calculations. His deputy had argued a technician should be in here doing these adjustments, but Ario had insisted. Most of his team knew by now when he'd made a decision, there was no arguing, and doing so would only make things worse. Of course what they didn't know was something that even Ario was trying to fight within himself.

Another mindless calculation, another simple adjustment. Moving on was a tedious chore in the confined spaces of the Jeffries tubes. But somehow it helped him concentrate, or rather... helped him avoid what was really bothering him. He knew not how to interpret the tension that flowed from his center when he thought of... remembered her. He knew not how deeply it ran. But it scared him, and he used the faceless fear to motivate himself toward other ends.

Right now, it was motivating him to climb down a ladder to another junction, and do another dozen mindless chores. His knees were getting sore. Hopefully, this would be enough to help him forget, until next time.