<<USS Malinche, Zeral's Office, 1040, Day 4>>
“Two more cases,” Jacob (NPC) sighed, adding two new PADDs to the growing mountain on top of Nora’s desk. “These two are pretty mild, though. Just headaches and feelings of unease. Word’s probably getting around that these symptoms are showing up. People tell their friends about it, they get a little unnerved…”
“And make an unscheduled visit to Counseling,” Nora finished drily, eying the stack of PADDs warily. “We have got to figure out a better organizational system.”
“Don’t look at me,” Jacob grinned. “I’m just a counselor.”
“And so helpful, too,” Nora teased. “I’d put all of this data into my own computer if I had the time, but every break I get, it seems like something comes up.” She sighed, propping her elbows onto the desk’s surface and massaging her temples.
“Headache?” Jacob frowned, watching her concernedly. “That’s not a good sign.”
“It’s just a little bit of sleep deprivation,” she returned. “High levels of stress, an influx of patients, and I hit my head the last time the ship rocked. It’s hard to avoid a headache with all of those factors, I’m afraid.” Not to mention she now faced the very real possibility of ship-wide possessions. If that wasn’t enough to give a girl a headache, she didn’t know what was.
“You hit your head? Did you go to Sickbay?”
Nora shook her head, trying to look reassuring. “I didn’t hit it that hard. It was more of a bump, really, but thank you for your concern. And besides, now that we’re out of the rift I’m sure that the risk for head injuries is going to decrease dramatically.”
“Very funny,” Jacob said in a way that made it perfectly clear that he was not amused. “Listen, Doctor…I know that there’s a lot going on, but I just don’t want you to forget to take care of yourself. I don’t want to have to worry about you.”
“Thank you,” Nora smiled tiredly. “That means more to me than you know. But you really don’t have to worry about me. I’ve had worse, I’m sure.”
Jacob nodded slowly, watching her closely for a moment. “Nora, is something bothering you? I know that it’s never very fun for a counselor to get counsel from another counselor, but you can always talk to me if you want.”
Nora wished very much that she could talk to him about all that was bothering her now. Her research and subsequent findings had left her feeling rather cold and unsure about how to proceed. When she had more definitive answers, and more importantly, once a course of action was decided upon, perhaps then she’d be able to entrust someone with more information about the situation at hand. But for now, she knew too well the importance of keeping as quiet as possible about the possessions.
“Jacob, I’ll tell you what,” she said at length, leaving her chair and coming around the desk toward him. “Once all of this is over, I’m going to take you up on your offer for a game night. Then we’ll talk and you can counsel me to your heart's content. I promise.”
“Game night it is,” Jacob agreed, shaking hands with the Betazoid and taking his leave shortly after. Alone again, Nora surveyed the disaster that had become her desk before picking up right where she left off, hoping for to find anything new in her research that could help before she left to test her theory. Knowledge was power, after all.
OFF:
Jacob Trelani (NPC)
and
Mission 12: When In Rome
Moderators: Tournneau, Korath, Kersare
Re: Mission 12: When In Rome
Commander Nora Zeral
Executive Officer
USS Malinche NCC-38997-A
Re: Mission 12: When In Rome
<<Bridge, 1058, Day 4>>
At least they weren't going to get sucked into a subspace rupture; although Jason still had a feeling that things weren't going to go over so well. At the moment they seemed to be moving along entirely too smoothly, given the start of the mission he knew that wouldn't last forever. Standing up he took a look around the bridge, everyone appeared to be going about their duties.
Trying his best to appear casual he moved toward the view-screen, watching the stars go by. Something about them was comforting...and then again...
He moved back to his chair, taking a snap shot of the last star constellation that he passed. There was something that seemed odd about it; then again with the odd things that had been happening around the ship lately it could have been nothing but his imagination. He enlarged the image on his screen, looking over it with as critical an eye as possible. Something was bugging them about them; he just wasn't sure what it was.
He decided that he should at least be useful, accessing the short range sensors he ran a quick sweep, hoping to detect anything out of place. He sighed heavily when the sweep came back negative maybe all the hype around the ship was finally getting to him as well. He almost felt like he had been there before. Adam would say that he was working way to hard.
Jason stood up, heading toward the replicator to grab himself cup of coffee. He took it and went to look at the sensor scans again. There was nothing to special about them; just a minor ion trail that headed off toward....
Jason frowned, zooming in on the trail again and giving it a once over. It was from a fairly large ship, probably one with a fairly advanced engine plant. Given the readings he actually guessed it was from a Starfleet ship...hell it looked a lot like the ion trail generated by Prometheaus class starships.
And then it hit him. This looked familiar because they had been this way before...that was the Malinche's own ion trail from earlier that he was scanning.
"Helm, full stop."
"Sir?"
"You heard me," Jason ordered standing up. "Flight, I need you to re-triangulate our position...stellar identification only, don't use the computer. I think that we are going the wrong way."
OFF: Tag Flight!
At least they weren't going to get sucked into a subspace rupture; although Jason still had a feeling that things weren't going to go over so well. At the moment they seemed to be moving along entirely too smoothly, given the start of the mission he knew that wouldn't last forever. Standing up he took a look around the bridge, everyone appeared to be going about their duties.
Trying his best to appear casual he moved toward the view-screen, watching the stars go by. Something about them was comforting...and then again...
He moved back to his chair, taking a snap shot of the last star constellation that he passed. There was something that seemed odd about it; then again with the odd things that had been happening around the ship lately it could have been nothing but his imagination. He enlarged the image on his screen, looking over it with as critical an eye as possible. Something was bugging them about them; he just wasn't sure what it was.
He decided that he should at least be useful, accessing the short range sensors he ran a quick sweep, hoping to detect anything out of place. He sighed heavily when the sweep came back negative maybe all the hype around the ship was finally getting to him as well. He almost felt like he had been there before. Adam would say that he was working way to hard.
Jason stood up, heading toward the replicator to grab himself cup of coffee. He took it and went to look at the sensor scans again. There was nothing to special about them; just a minor ion trail that headed off toward....
Jason frowned, zooming in on the trail again and giving it a once over. It was from a fairly large ship, probably one with a fairly advanced engine plant. Given the readings he actually guessed it was from a Starfleet ship...hell it looked a lot like the ion trail generated by Prometheaus class starships.
And then it hit him. This looked familiar because they had been this way before...that was the Malinche's own ion trail from earlier that he was scanning.
"Helm, full stop."
"Sir?"
"You heard me," Jason ordered standing up. "Flight, I need you to re-triangulate our position...stellar identification only, don't use the computer. I think that we are going the wrong way."
OFF: Tag Flight!
Lieutenant Commander Jason Barrett
Executive Officer
USS Malinche NCC-38997-A
Re: Mission 12: When In Rome
ON:
Bridge, 1058, MD04
Kaylee was just getting comfortable at the controls of the new ship. She had never flown a Prometheus-class before, but the advanced controls responded so well to her controls, it made her slip right in.
She had safetly brought the ship up to Warp Speed, and the Malinche was underway to Ivor Prime.
Out of the corner of her eye, she watched the Executive Officer, Barret, get up and replicate himself some coffee. Kaylee too started to think how long it had been since she fed her own coffee addiction, when Barrat called out suddenly.
"Helm, full stop."
Out of shock, and routine. Kaylee quickly gave her console a 1-second checkover.
All fine. She half turned in her seat. "Sir?"
"You heard me," Jason ordered standing up. "Flight, I need you to re-triangulate our position...stellar identification only, don't use the computer. I think that we are going the wrong way."
"Aye sir," Kaylee turned back to her instrument. With a decending noise that emanated throughout the ship, the Malinche slowed back back to sublight speeds. "Full stop, aye. Beginning re-triangulating our position."
Kaylee began running a reconfiguration of the Malinche's navigation systems, as ordered, triangulating off stellar identification and markers using local internal methods, rather than rebooting off of externally transmitted Federation subspace update patches and stellar drift data.
As the computer was processing this job, Kaylee ran thorugh her previous orders, and compared it to stellar constellations and short-range sensors.
It was then that she picked up Malinche's ion trail, which correlated Barret's findings. "It never rains but it pours," she muttered to herself. If she hadn't been suffering from that earlier case of amnesia, she probably could have realised sooner.
The computer pinged that it had processed its orders.
Kaylee took the time to quickly
Kaylee called up the results. "Confirming last orders, sir: Bearing 117 mark 12 mark 401." She looked at her other screen. "However, our navigational data comes up inconsistant with our new heading. The navigational bearings appear to have been disrupted and has changed since we closed that subspace rupture..."
<TAG BARRET>
"I'm beginning a level 4 diagnostic on Flight and Navigation sir, to try and isolate what happened."
OFF:
TAG BARRET
Bridge, 1058, MD04
Kaylee was just getting comfortable at the controls of the new ship. She had never flown a Prometheus-class before, but the advanced controls responded so well to her controls, it made her slip right in.
She had safetly brought the ship up to Warp Speed, and the Malinche was underway to Ivor Prime.
Out of the corner of her eye, she watched the Executive Officer, Barret, get up and replicate himself some coffee. Kaylee too started to think how long it had been since she fed her own coffee addiction, when Barrat called out suddenly.
"Helm, full stop."
Out of shock, and routine. Kaylee quickly gave her console a 1-second checkover.
All fine. She half turned in her seat. "Sir?"
"You heard me," Jason ordered standing up. "Flight, I need you to re-triangulate our position...stellar identification only, don't use the computer. I think that we are going the wrong way."
"Aye sir," Kaylee turned back to her instrument. With a decending noise that emanated throughout the ship, the Malinche slowed back back to sublight speeds. "Full stop, aye. Beginning re-triangulating our position."
Kaylee began running a reconfiguration of the Malinche's navigation systems, as ordered, triangulating off stellar identification and markers using local internal methods, rather than rebooting off of externally transmitted Federation subspace update patches and stellar drift data.
As the computer was processing this job, Kaylee ran thorugh her previous orders, and compared it to stellar constellations and short-range sensors.
It was then that she picked up Malinche's ion trail, which correlated Barret's findings. "It never rains but it pours," she muttered to herself. If she hadn't been suffering from that earlier case of amnesia, she probably could have realised sooner.
The computer pinged that it had processed its orders.
Kaylee took the time to quickly
Kaylee called up the results. "Confirming last orders, sir: Bearing 117 mark 12 mark 401." She looked at her other screen. "However, our navigational data comes up inconsistant with our new heading. The navigational bearings appear to have been disrupted and has changed since we closed that subspace rupture..."
<TAG BARRET>
"I'm beginning a level 4 diagnostic on Flight and Navigation sir, to try and isolate what happened."
OFF:
TAG BARRET
Ensign Lauren Kaylee
Flight Control Officer
USS Malinche NCC-38897-B
Re: Mission 12: When In Rome
<<USS Malinche, Mess Hall, 1100, Day 4>>
Hands clasped in front of her, Nora casually wove her way through the mostly empty tables. Following up on Captain Kersare’s suggestion that she find a way to meet with Caleb, she’d asked the computer to locate him and subsequently found herself looking for him in the Mess Hall. Luckily for her, there were very few people there and thus she had little difficulty picking out which one must be him.
Approaching his table, she smiled serenely in that way that counselors always seemed to smile, placing her hands lightly on the empty chair across from him. The very idea of verifying a possession had her feeling uneasy in the extreme, but she felt she was doing a good enough job of appearing none the wiser. "Caleb Corrin?"
"Caleb"/Alex (NPC) glanced up at the young woman who now stood across from him. He'd just sat down with his meal - a favorite of his that he'd not been able to have in a long time. He wasn't overly thrilled at the interruption, but she was a pretty blonde...and he'd always had a thing for blondes. He almost forgot that she'd asked if it was him, so he quickly responded, "Yes, what can I do for you?"
Her smile widening even as her heartrate increased somewhat, she pulled the chair out for herself. "I'm Nora Zeral," she said by way of introduction, leaving out the fact that she was a counselor just for a moment. He might already know who she was, but announcing that she was Chief Counselor before she even sat down seemed a bit foolhardy. "You don't mind if I join you for a minute, do you?" Sliding into the chair before he had a chance to respond, she surrepticiously glanced him over while simultaneously opening her senses, so to speak.
"I hate to interrupt your lunch, but with everything that's been happening on the ship, it's been rather difficult tracking some crewmembers down. Tell me, Caleb, when was your last psych eval?" she asked with an apologetic grin.
Alex frowned slightly; the woman was a counselor. Not quite as harmless as he'd hoped. However, it'd be suspicious if he didn't play along; he'd just have to hope for the best. From Caleb's mind, he knew that the Engineer had never spoken to Nora, so perhaps it would be alright, "I don't remember exactly, Nora, probably a few months at least..."
"That's what I was afraid of," Nora said amiably. "Well, you're in luck, Caleb. I can ask you a few brief questions now to get it out of the way, or we can schedule it sometime in the next few days. So long as we complete it one way or another, you won't have to deal with any more lunchtime interruptions from me," she finished with a teasing smirk. So far, her senses didn't seem to pick up on anything out of the ordinary per se, but once again she found herself overcome with the feeling that something was...off. Just a little while longer spent in his presence and she hoped to be sure one way or another what, if anything, was going on with Caleb Corrin.
He hesitated slightly before answering, "Well, I suppose now would be best then. I'm afraid Engineering will be rather busy until we're out of the Expanse, so I probably won't have time in the next few days to come to your office." Perhaps keeping it brief would also help.
It was exactly the answer Nora was hoping for. Her real intent wasn't to conduct a psych eval, after all, but she certainly needed the excuse to stay close to him. "I'll make this as quick as possible," she promised. "How do you enjoy your work in Engineering? I know things are hectic now, but what about on a regular, day to day basis?" As she spoke, she continued her telepathic evaluation as best as she could. There was no protocol that she'd encountered as a Betazoid for verifying a possession, and since she had never met Caleb before now, she had no basis for comparison.
"Hectic is an understatement," Alex began. Lately it'd been more and more difficult for him to get away to meet with Yana and the others. Not to mention the chore of going through Caleb's knowledge of the Prometheus class. "Overall I like it - it's certainly interesting. And especially lately it's been challenging with all these issues we've been encountering. But I do enjoy challenges."
"That sounds like a prerequisite for working in Engineering," Nora smiled. "And you feel comfortable with your fellow crewmembers? You get along with others, so to speak?" As soon as she finished speaking, she felt it. There, there it was! She didn't know how or why, but she was sure that there was not one person or soul inhabiting Caleb's body--there were two. The sensation she was experiencing now was eerily similar to her experience on the Bridge two days before. Equally relieved and horrified at her own confirmation, she kept her poker face firmly in place, serenely regarding Caleb--or whomever it was she was speaking to--as though there were nothing at all amiss. The last thing she wanted now was for him to become aware that she was suspicious of him.
Alex smirked slightly at the question. Which crewmembers? His or Caleb's? Either way, the answer had to be the same, "I've not had any problems thus far. People seem to get along pretty well here. Though I suppose I've always played well with others." Watching Nora, he thought he saw...something...A slight spark in her eye perhaps? Like she'd realized something? Certainly he hadn't said anything to reveal his identity. He didn't sense another of his friends in her at least. Alex wanted to end the little question session, but wasn't sure how without arousing her suspicions. He still had food on his plate and Engineering wasn't calling for him.
"That's good to hear," Nora said, her smile fading somewhat as a new question came to mind. It was one she had asked any number of people over the past two days, and so it shouldn't be too suspect to ask Caleb as well. Besides, she was very much curious about how he would respond. "I'm sorry if this question sounds strange, but in light of recent events, I feel compelled to ask: Have you been experiencing any strange symptoms lately? Headaches, dizziness, things of that nature? It seems that something about the Expanse doesn't sit well with some crewmembers."
Alex paused, then nodded, "Yes, I have had a few headaches the past few days. No dizziness though." Caleb had already told Britney (NPC) that he'd had headaches, so there was no sense in lying about it. He just hoped it wouldn't lead to more questions or another visit. He had work to do. "And the headaches seem to go away after a little while. Other than that I feel fine, beyond the usual stress of rushing to fix the ship," he gave a smile.
"I'm sorry to hear that," Nora murmured, offering a sympathetic smile. "But I'm glad that they're mild. If they get any worse, you will come and see me in my office, won't you? Or at least make a visit to Sickbay." Nodding slowly, Nora decided it was time to wrap up this impromptu little meeting. She had a feeling that he was as anxious for her to leave as she was at this point, and while she was burning for more answers concerning what was going on, not to mention a little hesitant to let a possessed man wander off about his business, she had to speak with Isabel before anything was done.
"If they get worse after things settle down in Engineering, I'll be sure to see a doctor," Alex promised. Not that he would, but it was the answer she wanted.
"Thank you for letting me interrupt your lunch, Caleb," she said, standing up to leave. "I'm glad that we could get all of this out of the way. I just hope that the next time we meet, it will be under pleasanter circumstances. No one likes a psych eval, after all." Offering him another warm smile, she turned to go.
Alex nodded, "Thank you, Nora." As she walked away, he looked at his food and sighed. He should probably eat quickly and meet with Yana - perhaps the Malinche crew was getting a little too close to the truth after all.
OFF
JP by:
Alex/Caleb Corrin (NPC)
played by:
Captain Isabel Kersare
Commanding Officer
USS Malinche NCC-38897-B
and
Hands clasped in front of her, Nora casually wove her way through the mostly empty tables. Following up on Captain Kersare’s suggestion that she find a way to meet with Caleb, she’d asked the computer to locate him and subsequently found herself looking for him in the Mess Hall. Luckily for her, there were very few people there and thus she had little difficulty picking out which one must be him.
Approaching his table, she smiled serenely in that way that counselors always seemed to smile, placing her hands lightly on the empty chair across from him. The very idea of verifying a possession had her feeling uneasy in the extreme, but she felt she was doing a good enough job of appearing none the wiser. "Caleb Corrin?"
"Caleb"/Alex (NPC) glanced up at the young woman who now stood across from him. He'd just sat down with his meal - a favorite of his that he'd not been able to have in a long time. He wasn't overly thrilled at the interruption, but she was a pretty blonde...and he'd always had a thing for blondes. He almost forgot that she'd asked if it was him, so he quickly responded, "Yes, what can I do for you?"
Her smile widening even as her heartrate increased somewhat, she pulled the chair out for herself. "I'm Nora Zeral," she said by way of introduction, leaving out the fact that she was a counselor just for a moment. He might already know who she was, but announcing that she was Chief Counselor before she even sat down seemed a bit foolhardy. "You don't mind if I join you for a minute, do you?" Sliding into the chair before he had a chance to respond, she surrepticiously glanced him over while simultaneously opening her senses, so to speak.
"I hate to interrupt your lunch, but with everything that's been happening on the ship, it's been rather difficult tracking some crewmembers down. Tell me, Caleb, when was your last psych eval?" she asked with an apologetic grin.
Alex frowned slightly; the woman was a counselor. Not quite as harmless as he'd hoped. However, it'd be suspicious if he didn't play along; he'd just have to hope for the best. From Caleb's mind, he knew that the Engineer had never spoken to Nora, so perhaps it would be alright, "I don't remember exactly, Nora, probably a few months at least..."
"That's what I was afraid of," Nora said amiably. "Well, you're in luck, Caleb. I can ask you a few brief questions now to get it out of the way, or we can schedule it sometime in the next few days. So long as we complete it one way or another, you won't have to deal with any more lunchtime interruptions from me," she finished with a teasing smirk. So far, her senses didn't seem to pick up on anything out of the ordinary per se, but once again she found herself overcome with the feeling that something was...off. Just a little while longer spent in his presence and she hoped to be sure one way or another what, if anything, was going on with Caleb Corrin.
He hesitated slightly before answering, "Well, I suppose now would be best then. I'm afraid Engineering will be rather busy until we're out of the Expanse, so I probably won't have time in the next few days to come to your office." Perhaps keeping it brief would also help.
It was exactly the answer Nora was hoping for. Her real intent wasn't to conduct a psych eval, after all, but she certainly needed the excuse to stay close to him. "I'll make this as quick as possible," she promised. "How do you enjoy your work in Engineering? I know things are hectic now, but what about on a regular, day to day basis?" As she spoke, she continued her telepathic evaluation as best as she could. There was no protocol that she'd encountered as a Betazoid for verifying a possession, and since she had never met Caleb before now, she had no basis for comparison.
"Hectic is an understatement," Alex began. Lately it'd been more and more difficult for him to get away to meet with Yana and the others. Not to mention the chore of going through Caleb's knowledge of the Prometheus class. "Overall I like it - it's certainly interesting. And especially lately it's been challenging with all these issues we've been encountering. But I do enjoy challenges."
"That sounds like a prerequisite for working in Engineering," Nora smiled. "And you feel comfortable with your fellow crewmembers? You get along with others, so to speak?" As soon as she finished speaking, she felt it. There, there it was! She didn't know how or why, but she was sure that there was not one person or soul inhabiting Caleb's body--there were two. The sensation she was experiencing now was eerily similar to her experience on the Bridge two days before. Equally relieved and horrified at her own confirmation, she kept her poker face firmly in place, serenely regarding Caleb--or whomever it was she was speaking to--as though there were nothing at all amiss. The last thing she wanted now was for him to become aware that she was suspicious of him.
Alex smirked slightly at the question. Which crewmembers? His or Caleb's? Either way, the answer had to be the same, "I've not had any problems thus far. People seem to get along pretty well here. Though I suppose I've always played well with others." Watching Nora, he thought he saw...something...A slight spark in her eye perhaps? Like she'd realized something? Certainly he hadn't said anything to reveal his identity. He didn't sense another of his friends in her at least. Alex wanted to end the little question session, but wasn't sure how without arousing her suspicions. He still had food on his plate and Engineering wasn't calling for him.
"That's good to hear," Nora said, her smile fading somewhat as a new question came to mind. It was one she had asked any number of people over the past two days, and so it shouldn't be too suspect to ask Caleb as well. Besides, she was very much curious about how he would respond. "I'm sorry if this question sounds strange, but in light of recent events, I feel compelled to ask: Have you been experiencing any strange symptoms lately? Headaches, dizziness, things of that nature? It seems that something about the Expanse doesn't sit well with some crewmembers."
Alex paused, then nodded, "Yes, I have had a few headaches the past few days. No dizziness though." Caleb had already told Britney (NPC) that he'd had headaches, so there was no sense in lying about it. He just hoped it wouldn't lead to more questions or another visit. He had work to do. "And the headaches seem to go away after a little while. Other than that I feel fine, beyond the usual stress of rushing to fix the ship," he gave a smile.
"I'm sorry to hear that," Nora murmured, offering a sympathetic smile. "But I'm glad that they're mild. If they get any worse, you will come and see me in my office, won't you? Or at least make a visit to Sickbay." Nodding slowly, Nora decided it was time to wrap up this impromptu little meeting. She had a feeling that he was as anxious for her to leave as she was at this point, and while she was burning for more answers concerning what was going on, not to mention a little hesitant to let a possessed man wander off about his business, she had to speak with Isabel before anything was done.
"If they get worse after things settle down in Engineering, I'll be sure to see a doctor," Alex promised. Not that he would, but it was the answer she wanted.
"Thank you for letting me interrupt your lunch, Caleb," she said, standing up to leave. "I'm glad that we could get all of this out of the way. I just hope that the next time we meet, it will be under pleasanter circumstances. No one likes a psych eval, after all." Offering him another warm smile, she turned to go.
Alex nodded, "Thank you, Nora." As she walked away, he looked at his food and sighed. He should probably eat quickly and meet with Yana - perhaps the Malinche crew was getting a little too close to the truth after all.
OFF
JP by:
Alex/Caleb Corrin (NPC)
played by:
Captain Isabel Kersare
Commanding Officer
USS Malinche NCC-38897-B
and
Commander Nora Zeral
Executive Officer
USS Malinche NCC-38997-A
Re: Mission 12: When In Rome
<<USS Malinche, Zeral's Office, 1115, Day 4>>
Ventru sighed wondering when she would be rid of Emily altogether. She
could hear the woman in her head wanting her body back. She felt the woman
fighting a bit, but knew she wouldn't win. Ventru was way stronger.
She stepped into Zeral's office.
"Hey, I heard you have a list for me?" She said wondering what was going on
with this.
Having just stopped by her office for a moment before meeting with Captain Kersare, Nora glanced up distractedly from behind her desk. "List?" she asked, a bit confused. "Oh! That's right, the list." Humming to herself as she searched through a sea of PADDs, she finally located the one she was looking for and handed it to Anderson with a guilty smile. "Sorry, Emily. I'm a bit distracted this morning. This is the list you're looking for, right?"
"I think so. Here let me look it over," she said and saw a list of names.
"Yup this looks to be about right. Distracted? Anything I can help with?" She asked trying to appear the sweet innocent medical officer. Ventru hoped it was working. She didn't want anyone to realize before the plan was completed.
If Nora didn't know any better, she'd say that Emily was feeling a bit distracted herself. Her telepathic senses somewhat sharpened after her meeting with Caleb, she was sure she felt some sort of strange unease coming from the young doctor. "Oh, it's nothing out of the ordinary," she told her, leaning back in her chair. "Just your typical day of dealing with strange medical anomalies. And how are you feeling, Emily? I know you're under a lot of pressure right now, especially with our CMO missing."
"I'm doing just fine. Nothing I can't handle. They prep us for just about everything while we are studying to be doctors. You could send the medical anomalies to sickbay if they are more than you can handle," she said hoping to ease some of the counselor's load a bit.
~What is going on here? Surely she's not trying to analyze me. I better be on my guard.~ Ventru thought hating dealing with the counselor.
"I better get going. Never know what might show up in sickbay, and I have these to scan and see if there is any resemblance in readings," she said as she started to leave.
Hoping that her suspicions were unfounded, Nora made an attempt to slow her retreat. "I believe you're very capable," she assured her with a small smile, standing up and walking around her desk to escort Emily to the door. "But you do know that you can talk to me about anything, don't you, Emily? If you ever feel that you need someone to talk to, that is."
"Of course I do. That's what you are here for," she said with a smile. Playing the sweet girl was making her sick to her stomach, but she knew it was necessary.
"The captain said you were clearing everyone who had symptoms for duty. I unfortunately have had a few myself. There were a couple of times where my memory failed me. I had no idea how I got in one corridor instead of being in sickbay. The second one was when I was going to report to the captain about the first time. It was luck that I carried a padd with me and that I was already in the turbolift that I got to the captain," she said hating to do this. She knew she must comply with the captain's wishes on this if she was going to do what she must.
Frowning slightly, Nora tapped her finger against his chin for a moment. "That sounds very serious," she remarked. "So you've experienced memory loss. What about headaches or hallucinations? Anything like that?" It was at that moment that Nora was certain--Emily was possessed. It was easier for her to tell with her than it had been with Caleb, seeing as she actually knew the woman and had met with her just a few hours before. Alarmed as she was at this new development, Nora did her best to appear as though she were none the wiser.
"I had a headache earlier, but it was nothing. I figure I was just thinking too hard about this whole matter. No hallucinations though. Just a lil memory loss. Nothing serious. So how about clearing me so I can get back to sickbay and figure this whole thing out?" She said smiling. She appeared anxious to help others.
For a moment, Nora was at a complete loss. The last thing she wanted to do was to send Emily back to Sickbay, and especially not with the list that she'd been compiling. She had no proof that the entities possessing crewmembers such as Emily meant any harm, but she could hardly treat the situation lightly.
"I understand that you want to help, but I'm worried about you," she told her calmly and honestly. "I'm also worried that you could be a danger to others around you, especially since the symptoms tend to get worse before they get any better. What if you were to experience some sort of memory loss or hallucination while attending a patient, for instance? I think it would be best if you went to your quarters and rested for a bit. It doesn't have to be all day, but I do want you to have some time to recuperate before jumping back into your work."
Holding out her hand for the PADD, she added, "I'll keep working on the list and once you're feeling better, I'll be able to give you a more complete list. How does that sound?"
Emily had almost taken back control right then and there. She sighed.
"Look, I'm fine. I'm the only doctor you've got left. We don't really have a choice on whether I work or not. Nurses are only capable up to a point. I'm more worried about this crew than I am myself. I took an oath, and I can't ignore that," she said hoping this would help her case.
"Besides, I'm not the type to just rest. I'll go stir crazy in my quarters when I know there are people on this ship that need me. If you want your list back, fine, but don't send me to rest. Please?" She said pleading. She handed back the list.
She made a convincing case and Nora was terribly unsure what to do next. Would it be negligent for her to let a woman whom she was convinced was possessed to carry on her duties as though nothing were amiss? Worse than negligent, was it dangerous? But she hadn't tried to stop Caleb when she had the chance, and she was worried that if she pushed any harder, the being possessing Emily would realize that the Betazoid was onto her.
Taking the PADD in her hand, she found herself nodding briefly at Emily. "All right, Emily, you can remain on duty. But I'll be checking on you in a little while," she told her solemnly. "I want you to take it easy, all right?"
"That's fine. I can take it easy in the CMO's office. Its close to where the action would be. I'll also let the nurses know not to bother me unless its pressing and they can't handle the case. As for checking on me, I would expect nothing less. You are not only trying to do your job, but you are worried about me," she said and smiled. She figured a hug would be over the top.
"If that's okay, and there is nothing else, I really need to get back to sickbay," she said.
"Of course, Emily. I have someplace to be myself. You're free to go," Nora replied with a slight smile, though she was feeling sick with anxiety by this point. "I'll see you sometime this afternoon."
Emily just nodded and walked out of the office heading back to sickbay confident that she had fooled both the captain and counselor.
JP between
Lieutenant JG Nora Zeral
Chief Counselor
AND
Ventru sighed wondering when she would be rid of Emily altogether. She
could hear the woman in her head wanting her body back. She felt the woman
fighting a bit, but knew she wouldn't win. Ventru was way stronger.
She stepped into Zeral's office.
"Hey, I heard you have a list for me?" She said wondering what was going on
with this.
Having just stopped by her office for a moment before meeting with Captain Kersare, Nora glanced up distractedly from behind her desk. "List?" she asked, a bit confused. "Oh! That's right, the list." Humming to herself as she searched through a sea of PADDs, she finally located the one she was looking for and handed it to Anderson with a guilty smile. "Sorry, Emily. I'm a bit distracted this morning. This is the list you're looking for, right?"
"I think so. Here let me look it over," she said and saw a list of names.
"Yup this looks to be about right. Distracted? Anything I can help with?" She asked trying to appear the sweet innocent medical officer. Ventru hoped it was working. She didn't want anyone to realize before the plan was completed.
If Nora didn't know any better, she'd say that Emily was feeling a bit distracted herself. Her telepathic senses somewhat sharpened after her meeting with Caleb, she was sure she felt some sort of strange unease coming from the young doctor. "Oh, it's nothing out of the ordinary," she told her, leaning back in her chair. "Just your typical day of dealing with strange medical anomalies. And how are you feeling, Emily? I know you're under a lot of pressure right now, especially with our CMO missing."
"I'm doing just fine. Nothing I can't handle. They prep us for just about everything while we are studying to be doctors. You could send the medical anomalies to sickbay if they are more than you can handle," she said hoping to ease some of the counselor's load a bit.
~What is going on here? Surely she's not trying to analyze me. I better be on my guard.~ Ventru thought hating dealing with the counselor.
"I better get going. Never know what might show up in sickbay, and I have these to scan and see if there is any resemblance in readings," she said as she started to leave.
Hoping that her suspicions were unfounded, Nora made an attempt to slow her retreat. "I believe you're very capable," she assured her with a small smile, standing up and walking around her desk to escort Emily to the door. "But you do know that you can talk to me about anything, don't you, Emily? If you ever feel that you need someone to talk to, that is."
"Of course I do. That's what you are here for," she said with a smile. Playing the sweet girl was making her sick to her stomach, but she knew it was necessary.
"The captain said you were clearing everyone who had symptoms for duty. I unfortunately have had a few myself. There were a couple of times where my memory failed me. I had no idea how I got in one corridor instead of being in sickbay. The second one was when I was going to report to the captain about the first time. It was luck that I carried a padd with me and that I was already in the turbolift that I got to the captain," she said hating to do this. She knew she must comply with the captain's wishes on this if she was going to do what she must.
Frowning slightly, Nora tapped her finger against his chin for a moment. "That sounds very serious," she remarked. "So you've experienced memory loss. What about headaches or hallucinations? Anything like that?" It was at that moment that Nora was certain--Emily was possessed. It was easier for her to tell with her than it had been with Caleb, seeing as she actually knew the woman and had met with her just a few hours before. Alarmed as she was at this new development, Nora did her best to appear as though she were none the wiser.
"I had a headache earlier, but it was nothing. I figure I was just thinking too hard about this whole matter. No hallucinations though. Just a lil memory loss. Nothing serious. So how about clearing me so I can get back to sickbay and figure this whole thing out?" She said smiling. She appeared anxious to help others.
For a moment, Nora was at a complete loss. The last thing she wanted to do was to send Emily back to Sickbay, and especially not with the list that she'd been compiling. She had no proof that the entities possessing crewmembers such as Emily meant any harm, but she could hardly treat the situation lightly.
"I understand that you want to help, but I'm worried about you," she told her calmly and honestly. "I'm also worried that you could be a danger to others around you, especially since the symptoms tend to get worse before they get any better. What if you were to experience some sort of memory loss or hallucination while attending a patient, for instance? I think it would be best if you went to your quarters and rested for a bit. It doesn't have to be all day, but I do want you to have some time to recuperate before jumping back into your work."
Holding out her hand for the PADD, she added, "I'll keep working on the list and once you're feeling better, I'll be able to give you a more complete list. How does that sound?"
Emily had almost taken back control right then and there. She sighed.
"Look, I'm fine. I'm the only doctor you've got left. We don't really have a choice on whether I work or not. Nurses are only capable up to a point. I'm more worried about this crew than I am myself. I took an oath, and I can't ignore that," she said hoping this would help her case.
"Besides, I'm not the type to just rest. I'll go stir crazy in my quarters when I know there are people on this ship that need me. If you want your list back, fine, but don't send me to rest. Please?" She said pleading. She handed back the list.
She made a convincing case and Nora was terribly unsure what to do next. Would it be negligent for her to let a woman whom she was convinced was possessed to carry on her duties as though nothing were amiss? Worse than negligent, was it dangerous? But she hadn't tried to stop Caleb when she had the chance, and she was worried that if she pushed any harder, the being possessing Emily would realize that the Betazoid was onto her.
Taking the PADD in her hand, she found herself nodding briefly at Emily. "All right, Emily, you can remain on duty. But I'll be checking on you in a little while," she told her solemnly. "I want you to take it easy, all right?"
"That's fine. I can take it easy in the CMO's office. Its close to where the action would be. I'll also let the nurses know not to bother me unless its pressing and they can't handle the case. As for checking on me, I would expect nothing less. You are not only trying to do your job, but you are worried about me," she said and smiled. She figured a hug would be over the top.
"If that's okay, and there is nothing else, I really need to get back to sickbay," she said.
"Of course, Emily. I have someplace to be myself. You're free to go," Nora replied with a slight smile, though she was feeling sick with anxiety by this point. "I'll see you sometime this afternoon."
Emily just nodded and walked out of the office heading back to sickbay confident that she had fooled both the captain and counselor.
JP between
Lieutenant JG Nora Zeral
Chief Counselor
AND
Ensign Emily Anderson
Medical Officer
USS Malinche NCC-38897-B
Re: Mission 12: When In Rome
<<Stellar Cartography, 1048, Day 4>>
Isabel had arrived in Stellar Cartography a short while ago, needing a quiet place to be and think. Luckily nobody was using it - at least not yet. She wasn't quite sure what had compelled her to come, but it seemed like the right place to be for some reason.
She moved to the center of the room, looking at the blank walls. Perhaps something appropriate being displayed would be nice... Walking over to a console, Isabel found the entry for the Taevon Expanse and typed in the command to have it displayed.
Quickly the blank walls changed, becoming darker and showing the features of the Expanse. Really it was beautiful, yet very dangerous. Of course, for a scientist it was certainly fascinating and full of potential. Though she was an Engineer, Isabel could still appreciate the area.
"Computer, identify the subspace rupture that was just closed," Isabel ordered, watching the display.
A red dot appeared, slightly to Isabel's left, indicating where the rupture had been not long ago. She frowned slightly at the position. "Computer, locate the asteroid field we passed."
A blue dot appeared this time, showing where the asteroid field had been. Isabel moved slightly closer. The distance between the red and blue dots was troubling her... "Computer, calculate the distance between the asteroid field and the former location of the rupture."
After a few moments of calculations, the computer replied, "Distance between asteroid field and subspace rupture is 8.87 light years."
Only 8.87 lightyears? Of course when the engines were down and when they were being pulled into the rupture they hadn't made any forward progress.... But, before the engines went down, they'd surely made it farther than that. By her estimation, the Malinche should've travelled around 17 light years by now.
Almost dreading the answer, Isabel asked, "What is our current location?"
A green blinking dot was now shown...between the rupture and the asteroid field.
"We're going back?" She shook her head, "Computer, show the Malinche's course from the time we entered the Expanse."
The computer traced a yellow line showing their path - through the asteroid field, a ways past the subspace rupture, then doubling back - this time closer to the rupture - and heading back towards the asteroid field.
What was going on? The more Isabel thought about it, she realized it had to be a result of the presense on board. She needed to talk to Nora, immediately.
Isabel had arrived in Stellar Cartography a short while ago, needing a quiet place to be and think. Luckily nobody was using it - at least not yet. She wasn't quite sure what had compelled her to come, but it seemed like the right place to be for some reason.
She moved to the center of the room, looking at the blank walls. Perhaps something appropriate being displayed would be nice... Walking over to a console, Isabel found the entry for the Taevon Expanse and typed in the command to have it displayed.
Quickly the blank walls changed, becoming darker and showing the features of the Expanse. Really it was beautiful, yet very dangerous. Of course, for a scientist it was certainly fascinating and full of potential. Though she was an Engineer, Isabel could still appreciate the area.
"Computer, identify the subspace rupture that was just closed," Isabel ordered, watching the display.
A red dot appeared, slightly to Isabel's left, indicating where the rupture had been not long ago. She frowned slightly at the position. "Computer, locate the asteroid field we passed."
A blue dot appeared this time, showing where the asteroid field had been. Isabel moved slightly closer. The distance between the red and blue dots was troubling her... "Computer, calculate the distance between the asteroid field and the former location of the rupture."
After a few moments of calculations, the computer replied, "Distance between asteroid field and subspace rupture is 8.87 light years."
Only 8.87 lightyears? Of course when the engines were down and when they were being pulled into the rupture they hadn't made any forward progress.... But, before the engines went down, they'd surely made it farther than that. By her estimation, the Malinche should've travelled around 17 light years by now.
Almost dreading the answer, Isabel asked, "What is our current location?"
A green blinking dot was now shown...between the rupture and the asteroid field.
"We're going back?" She shook her head, "Computer, show the Malinche's course from the time we entered the Expanse."
The computer traced a yellow line showing their path - through the asteroid field, a ways past the subspace rupture, then doubling back - this time closer to the rupture - and heading back towards the asteroid field.
What was going on? The more Isabel thought about it, she realized it had to be a result of the presense on board. She needed to talk to Nora, immediately.
Captain Isabel Kersare
Commanding Officer
USS Malinche NCC-38997-A
Re: Mission 12: When In Rome
ON: <<Main Bridge, USS Malinche, MD04, 1100>>
Free of the subspace vortex, the Malinche maintained a steady course through the expanse. Will was looking forward to settling down for more than a few moments and, so far, he seemed to be succeeding. They were alive, the ship wasn’t going haywire, and he hadn’t gotten out of his seat at Ops in over twenty minutes. Things were going well…
"I'm beginning a level 4 diagnostic on Flight and Navigation sir, to try and isolate what happened,” the new flight controller said next to him. He tried to remember her name…Lauren…that was it…Ensign Lauren Kaylee.
Will’s hands immediately danced across his board. He hadn’t had time with all the emergencies popping up all over the place to go back to his ‘goose chase’, but something about this anomaly in the navigational array was bugging him. There it was again…the elusive algorithm. Part of him wanted to just give it up, but maybe, just maybe, he might get somewhere this time.
Once again, Will dove into the Malinche’s command processors, trying to track the ‘ghost’. As before, it was always two steps ahead of him. Still, he didn’t want to give it up…not when he was this close to finding the answer. Suddenly, the trail went cold. Just like the last time, it just stopped in a redundant system with no sign of where it had come from.
Maybe it was time to bring his suspicions to the captain. He looked around the bridge, but couldn’t see her anywhere. His eyes rested on the ready room doors, but he vaguely remembered her departing via the turbolift. There was always Commander Barrett, but he wasn’t sure how many people he should alert. In fact, he wouldn’t be surprised if his little chases hadn’t already drawn somebody’s attention.
Will thought about leaving the bridge to search for the captain…or investigate further, but then again, that could also arouse suspicion. Perhaps he’d just have to wait and see what the diagnostic turned up. Maybe it would give him somewhere to start from. Whatever the case, the person or persons causing this problem were good…very good. Now he would just need to be one step quicker.
OFF
Free of the subspace vortex, the Malinche maintained a steady course through the expanse. Will was looking forward to settling down for more than a few moments and, so far, he seemed to be succeeding. They were alive, the ship wasn’t going haywire, and he hadn’t gotten out of his seat at Ops in over twenty minutes. Things were going well…
"I'm beginning a level 4 diagnostic on Flight and Navigation sir, to try and isolate what happened,” the new flight controller said next to him. He tried to remember her name…Lauren…that was it…Ensign Lauren Kaylee.
Will’s hands immediately danced across his board. He hadn’t had time with all the emergencies popping up all over the place to go back to his ‘goose chase’, but something about this anomaly in the navigational array was bugging him. There it was again…the elusive algorithm. Part of him wanted to just give it up, but maybe, just maybe, he might get somewhere this time.
Once again, Will dove into the Malinche’s command processors, trying to track the ‘ghost’. As before, it was always two steps ahead of him. Still, he didn’t want to give it up…not when he was this close to finding the answer. Suddenly, the trail went cold. Just like the last time, it just stopped in a redundant system with no sign of where it had come from.
Maybe it was time to bring his suspicions to the captain. He looked around the bridge, but couldn’t see her anywhere. His eyes rested on the ready room doors, but he vaguely remembered her departing via the turbolift. There was always Commander Barrett, but he wasn’t sure how many people he should alert. In fact, he wouldn’t be surprised if his little chases hadn’t already drawn somebody’s attention.
Will thought about leaving the bridge to search for the captain…or investigate further, but then again, that could also arouse suspicion. Perhaps he’d just have to wait and see what the diagnostic turned up. Maybe it would give him somewhere to start from. Whatever the case, the person or persons causing this problem were good…very good. Now he would just need to be one step quicker.
OFF
Lt. JG Aaron Masterson
Chief Security/Tactical Officer & 2XO
USS Malinche NCC-38997-A
Re: Mission 12: When In Rome
<<Corridor, 1120, Day 4>>
Having rushed out of Stellar Cartography, Isabel said, "Computer, locate Lieutenant JG Zeral."
"Lieutenant JG Zeral is in the Counseling Suite," the computer replied after a few moments.
She tried to appear calm, but too many thoughts were rushing through her head. Still, she couldn't worry the other crewmembers - especially if some were possessed. Isabel tried to keep her pace reasonable and nodded or smiled to passing crewmembers. Finally she arrived at the Counseling Suite and quickly entered.
"Captain!" Nora exclaimed as Kersare stepped in, relief evident in her voice. "Well, thank the Four Deities. I was just about to come looking for you. Perhaps we should step into my office. There are certainly...things to be said."
Isabel raised an eyebrow - apparently Nora had spoken with Caleb. "Yes, I have some information as well..." She followed Nora into her office.
Under normal circumstances, Nora might have been embarrassed by the clutter currently covering her desk. Seeing as she had bigger things on her mind than maintaining a clean office, she hardly noticed it at all as she leaned her hip against the desk, folding her arms in front of her. "You can have a seat if you like," Nora offered.
"That's alright, I don't think I could sit right now." Too on edge to sit, Isabel instead stood, hands behind her back. She looked at Nora, "What have you found out?"
"Caleb Corrin (NPC) is indeed possessed," Nora informed her without preamble. "I approached him in the Mess Hall and briefly spoke with him. I could actually feel another presence inside of him. It's difficult to fully explain, but I have no doubt in my mind that while I was looking at Caleb, I was actually speaking with someone else."
Isabel frowned; it definitely wasn't good news.
"It gets worse," Nora sighed, one hand rubbing her temple. "Dr. Anderson was here just a moment before you arrived, asking for the list I've compiled of crewmembers experiencing the strange symptoms. It didn't take long for me to realize that she is possessed as well. I tried to remove her from duty, but she argued very prettily against it. Since I couldn't exactly tell her I didn't think it wise for a possessed woman to return to work, I didn't know what else to do. I let her go back to Sickbay, Isabel," she finished, frustrated and fearful that she'd made the wrong choice.
Listening closely to the ever worsening news, Isabel nodded. "You did what you could. If you'd forced the issue, you would've aroused her suspicions more than they already might have been. Besides, there are others in Sickbay who would be capable of taking care of anyone in need of medical attention." She hesitated, almost afraid to ask, "Could you still sense them - Emily and Caleb?"
"Yes, yes, they're still there," Nora assured her, nodding vigorously. "And I don't think they're being harmed, if that makes any sense. It's almost as if they're pushed to the side so that whatever it is possessing their bodies can take control." Restlessly scooping up a PADD from the desk, she turned it over in her palm for a moment. "But Caleb and Emily can't possibly be the only ones being possessed. As much as I hate to say it, there must be others."
Isabel nodded, "I agree. And for all we know there may be some that haven't gone to Sickbay or come to you. Not to mention that they could move on to another person whenever they want, in theory."
"Now there's a frightening theory," Nora commented. "But it's certainly possible."
"I was just in Stellar Cartography... It seems that ever since we got the engines back up, we've been going back the way we came. The subspace rupture we just closed is almost 9 lightyears from the asteroid field - we should've been at least 7 lightyears past that by now. I think those that are possessed have turned the ship around and fooled our navigational equipment," Isabel said. "Though I'm not sure why they're having us go back."
Nora took a deep, steadying breath, slowly considering Isabel's discovery. "So they are working together," she said at length. "After I realized Emily was possessed I took the list back from her, just as a precaution."
"A good idea in general, but honestly, if they can move from one person to another, the list wouldn't be that big a help to her anyway. Besides, I'd imagine they can sense each other - otherwise we would've likely heard some reports of even stranger behavior than we've already found out about. And to coordinate something like this, they'd have to be in contact in some form or another," Isabel replied, explaining her theories.
"We need to communicate with one of them. If they're working towards one goal, we need to at least find out what that goal is. If we could perhaps corner one of them, so to speak, or at least separate them from other crewmembers who might be possessed..." And therein lay the problem, Nora supposed. They had no way of knowing just how many crewmembers were actually possessed at this point.
Isabel leaned against the back of the couch, "I agree. The question is, who do we try to communicate with? I would hope that at least one of them would be more willing than the others, but how we decide which one that is... Any suggestions?"
"We do have one solid lead," Nora smiled grimly. "I'm not an engineer myself, but I would assume that to turn the ship around, someone in Engineering might have something to do with it. Our friend Caleb just so happens to be in Engineering."
Nodding, Isabel added, "You said that Alexis had sensed the presence as well... Maybe it would be a good idea for the two of you to try communicating. It seems that those of you with telepathic powers are at least more immune to possession."
"I think that's an excellent idea," Nora agreed. "Two telepaths are better than one. How are we going to separate him from the others, though? I don't know if using my position as a counselor to pull him aside is going to work again. I did my best to be subtle, but there's a chance I've already roused his suspicions."
Isabel paused, Nora was right, it would look suspicious. "What about asking him to stop by, so you can document his headaches for comparison to the other crewmembers? Or perhaps Alexis could say that she has some questions about our warp signature for her analysis..."
"Either one might work," Nora conceded. "I almost hesitate to ask, but how can we question him so that he won't be able to...I don't know, run away if he feels so inclined? I'm not sure how a possessed crewmember will react once they find out the game is up. I'd ask if there's anyone in Security we can trust, but it's rather difficult to tell at this point, short of a telepathic evaluation."
"Perhaps if he realizes that we already know that the Malinche is heading back towards the asteroid field, he'll go ahead and tell us. We've already surmised that they aren't aiming to harm us, so there must be something they want. At some point, they'll have to tell us what it is anyway, otherwise we can't do anything. And if it were something they could do, they'd have done it by now," Isabel replied. "If at any point you feel it would help for me to be present to assure him that we will help out, you can contact me - I'll be sure to be nearby."
Nora nodded, relieved at the Captain's view of the scenario. "All right. Now that we have an idea of how to proceed, we just need to fill Alexis in on what's going on."
"Yes; why don't you go ahead and talk to her? I need to go to the bridge and talk to Lieutenant Barrett about the navigation issue," Isabel replied.
"Aye, Captain," Nora smiled weakly. "As ever, I'll keep you updated. The moment we have any news, you'll be the first to know."
OFF
A JP by:
Captain Isabel Kersare
Commanding Officer
USS Malinche NCC-38897-B
and
Having rushed out of Stellar Cartography, Isabel said, "Computer, locate Lieutenant JG Zeral."
"Lieutenant JG Zeral is in the Counseling Suite," the computer replied after a few moments.
She tried to appear calm, but too many thoughts were rushing through her head. Still, she couldn't worry the other crewmembers - especially if some were possessed. Isabel tried to keep her pace reasonable and nodded or smiled to passing crewmembers. Finally she arrived at the Counseling Suite and quickly entered.
"Captain!" Nora exclaimed as Kersare stepped in, relief evident in her voice. "Well, thank the Four Deities. I was just about to come looking for you. Perhaps we should step into my office. There are certainly...things to be said."
Isabel raised an eyebrow - apparently Nora had spoken with Caleb. "Yes, I have some information as well..." She followed Nora into her office.
Under normal circumstances, Nora might have been embarrassed by the clutter currently covering her desk. Seeing as she had bigger things on her mind than maintaining a clean office, she hardly noticed it at all as she leaned her hip against the desk, folding her arms in front of her. "You can have a seat if you like," Nora offered.
"That's alright, I don't think I could sit right now." Too on edge to sit, Isabel instead stood, hands behind her back. She looked at Nora, "What have you found out?"
"Caleb Corrin (NPC) is indeed possessed," Nora informed her without preamble. "I approached him in the Mess Hall and briefly spoke with him. I could actually feel another presence inside of him. It's difficult to fully explain, but I have no doubt in my mind that while I was looking at Caleb, I was actually speaking with someone else."
Isabel frowned; it definitely wasn't good news.
"It gets worse," Nora sighed, one hand rubbing her temple. "Dr. Anderson was here just a moment before you arrived, asking for the list I've compiled of crewmembers experiencing the strange symptoms. It didn't take long for me to realize that she is possessed as well. I tried to remove her from duty, but she argued very prettily against it. Since I couldn't exactly tell her I didn't think it wise for a possessed woman to return to work, I didn't know what else to do. I let her go back to Sickbay, Isabel," she finished, frustrated and fearful that she'd made the wrong choice.
Listening closely to the ever worsening news, Isabel nodded. "You did what you could. If you'd forced the issue, you would've aroused her suspicions more than they already might have been. Besides, there are others in Sickbay who would be capable of taking care of anyone in need of medical attention." She hesitated, almost afraid to ask, "Could you still sense them - Emily and Caleb?"
"Yes, yes, they're still there," Nora assured her, nodding vigorously. "And I don't think they're being harmed, if that makes any sense. It's almost as if they're pushed to the side so that whatever it is possessing their bodies can take control." Restlessly scooping up a PADD from the desk, she turned it over in her palm for a moment. "But Caleb and Emily can't possibly be the only ones being possessed. As much as I hate to say it, there must be others."
Isabel nodded, "I agree. And for all we know there may be some that haven't gone to Sickbay or come to you. Not to mention that they could move on to another person whenever they want, in theory."
"Now there's a frightening theory," Nora commented. "But it's certainly possible."
"I was just in Stellar Cartography... It seems that ever since we got the engines back up, we've been going back the way we came. The subspace rupture we just closed is almost 9 lightyears from the asteroid field - we should've been at least 7 lightyears past that by now. I think those that are possessed have turned the ship around and fooled our navigational equipment," Isabel said. "Though I'm not sure why they're having us go back."
Nora took a deep, steadying breath, slowly considering Isabel's discovery. "So they are working together," she said at length. "After I realized Emily was possessed I took the list back from her, just as a precaution."
"A good idea in general, but honestly, if they can move from one person to another, the list wouldn't be that big a help to her anyway. Besides, I'd imagine they can sense each other - otherwise we would've likely heard some reports of even stranger behavior than we've already found out about. And to coordinate something like this, they'd have to be in contact in some form or another," Isabel replied, explaining her theories.
"We need to communicate with one of them. If they're working towards one goal, we need to at least find out what that goal is. If we could perhaps corner one of them, so to speak, or at least separate them from other crewmembers who might be possessed..." And therein lay the problem, Nora supposed. They had no way of knowing just how many crewmembers were actually possessed at this point.
Isabel leaned against the back of the couch, "I agree. The question is, who do we try to communicate with? I would hope that at least one of them would be more willing than the others, but how we decide which one that is... Any suggestions?"
"We do have one solid lead," Nora smiled grimly. "I'm not an engineer myself, but I would assume that to turn the ship around, someone in Engineering might have something to do with it. Our friend Caleb just so happens to be in Engineering."
Nodding, Isabel added, "You said that Alexis had sensed the presence as well... Maybe it would be a good idea for the two of you to try communicating. It seems that those of you with telepathic powers are at least more immune to possession."
"I think that's an excellent idea," Nora agreed. "Two telepaths are better than one. How are we going to separate him from the others, though? I don't know if using my position as a counselor to pull him aside is going to work again. I did my best to be subtle, but there's a chance I've already roused his suspicions."
Isabel paused, Nora was right, it would look suspicious. "What about asking him to stop by, so you can document his headaches for comparison to the other crewmembers? Or perhaps Alexis could say that she has some questions about our warp signature for her analysis..."
"Either one might work," Nora conceded. "I almost hesitate to ask, but how can we question him so that he won't be able to...I don't know, run away if he feels so inclined? I'm not sure how a possessed crewmember will react once they find out the game is up. I'd ask if there's anyone in Security we can trust, but it's rather difficult to tell at this point, short of a telepathic evaluation."
"Perhaps if he realizes that we already know that the Malinche is heading back towards the asteroid field, he'll go ahead and tell us. We've already surmised that they aren't aiming to harm us, so there must be something they want. At some point, they'll have to tell us what it is anyway, otherwise we can't do anything. And if it were something they could do, they'd have done it by now," Isabel replied. "If at any point you feel it would help for me to be present to assure him that we will help out, you can contact me - I'll be sure to be nearby."
Nora nodded, relieved at the Captain's view of the scenario. "All right. Now that we have an idea of how to proceed, we just need to fill Alexis in on what's going on."
"Yes; why don't you go ahead and talk to her? I need to go to the bridge and talk to Lieutenant Barrett about the navigation issue," Isabel replied.
"Aye, Captain," Nora smiled weakly. "As ever, I'll keep you updated. The moment we have any news, you'll be the first to know."
OFF
A JP by:
Captain Isabel Kersare
Commanding Officer
USS Malinche NCC-38897-B
and
Commander Nora Zeral
Executive Officer
USS Malinche NCC-38997-A
Re: Mission 12: When In Rome
<Unknown>
Jacks footsteps echoed as he walked through the expanse, he felt like he had been walking for an hour and he had yet to see anything, just more white... then he saw it, in the distance, a single speck on the horizon. He ran.
He finally reached the speck, panting from the exertion; it was a door, an old fashioned wooden door with a knob and a window showing a corridor beyond. He moved slightly and peered around the door, there was nothing behind it, just more white, the door was just standing alone in the middle of the expanse.
He moved back in front of the door and slowly turned the knob, the door opened with a soft creak and Jack stepped inside. He found himself in a corridor, it was long, dimly lit and had faded peeling white and green paint and an old tile floor, along the corridor at regular intervals along both sides were more old wooden doors, each had a small plate with a number next to it.
Jack walked down the length of the corridor, his steps still echoing as he tried every door, each was locked and the numbers seemed to have no order or logic to them “9.12.3.145.1” “14.6.13.18.2” “134.2.3.2.75”
After walked past almost 100 doors he reached the end of the corridor, it ended in a cross roads with a door directly in front of him, to the left and right were more corridors that stretched out, both looking the same as the one he had just walked down.
He glanced at the label next to the door in front of him, this time he could make sense of it, it was one word, “Index”.
Jack slowly turned the handle, it wasn’t locked and the door opened slowly. The room was dark, illuminated only by a small lamp on the old wooden desk, behind the desk was a leather chair that slowly rotated round as Jack walked in, eventually revealing an old man.
The man smiled.
“Hi Jack...”
Jacks footsteps echoed as he walked through the expanse, he felt like he had been walking for an hour and he had yet to see anything, just more white... then he saw it, in the distance, a single speck on the horizon. He ran.
He finally reached the speck, panting from the exertion; it was a door, an old fashioned wooden door with a knob and a window showing a corridor beyond. He moved slightly and peered around the door, there was nothing behind it, just more white, the door was just standing alone in the middle of the expanse.
He moved back in front of the door and slowly turned the knob, the door opened with a soft creak and Jack stepped inside. He found himself in a corridor, it was long, dimly lit and had faded peeling white and green paint and an old tile floor, along the corridor at regular intervals along both sides were more old wooden doors, each had a small plate with a number next to it.
Jack walked down the length of the corridor, his steps still echoing as he tried every door, each was locked and the numbers seemed to have no order or logic to them “9.12.3.145.1” “14.6.13.18.2” “134.2.3.2.75”
After walked past almost 100 doors he reached the end of the corridor, it ended in a cross roads with a door directly in front of him, to the left and right were more corridors that stretched out, both looking the same as the one he had just walked down.
He glanced at the label next to the door in front of him, this time he could make sense of it, it was one word, “Index”.
Jack slowly turned the handle, it wasn’t locked and the door opened slowly. The room was dark, illuminated only by a small lamp on the old wooden desk, behind the desk was a leather chair that slowly rotated round as Jack walked in, eventually revealing an old man.
The man smiled.
“Hi Jack...”
Lieutenant Jonathan "Jack" Hawkins
Acting Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Malinche NCC-38897-B
Re: Mission 12: When In Rome
<<USS Malinche, Sickbay, 11.45, Day 4>>
Ventru knew things were going too well. She sighed and looked over what she was working on. They wanted a doctor on purpose and cursed that the chief medic hadn’t worked out. She was glad she had a medic though. She sprawled out on the couch knowing it was time to let this little girl know who was boss. She closed her eyes.
<Subconscious Realm>
Emily hated being here. She wondered when she would be able to take charge of her body again. She felt it and realized she wasn’t alone in this area. She sighed and turned spying someone looking exactly like her.
“That’s right, I am you as well. I own this body now. You need to remember who is stronger here. You won’t win out against me. You won’t get their attention, and you can’t stop me. The sooner you realize that the better your chances of surviving with me around,” Ventru said watching this other woman for any response.
“You wouldn’t be here talking to me now if I wasn’t a threat to what you are planning on doing. I must be stopping you somehow. I’m glad of it. You won’t get away with this. The crew will stop you,” she said smiling. She wondered what she had done to impede this being’s progress. Ventru sneered.
“What reacts with…” she was about to ask when Emily stopped her.
“I’m not helping you in any way. You may have my body, but you won’t have my mind. That’s the problem. That’s why you are here. Well forget it. Destroy me if you want. Keep my body, but I won’t let you harm this crew!” Emily said with her hands balled into fists. Ventru disappeared. Emily sighed wishing she knew how to get rid of the other being.
~That’s it. I should work on that problem from here. She wants something to aid her progress. What if I gave her the wrong thing and ended up getting rid of them?~ She thought with a smile. She started to think of what she knew about possession and how to rid a being of an extra spirit.
<Sickbay>
Ventru opened her eyes and wondered what she could do to persuade this woman to cooperate.
Ventru knew things were going too well. She sighed and looked over what she was working on. They wanted a doctor on purpose and cursed that the chief medic hadn’t worked out. She was glad she had a medic though. She sprawled out on the couch knowing it was time to let this little girl know who was boss. She closed her eyes.
<Subconscious Realm>
Emily hated being here. She wondered when she would be able to take charge of her body again. She felt it and realized she wasn’t alone in this area. She sighed and turned spying someone looking exactly like her.
“That’s right, I am you as well. I own this body now. You need to remember who is stronger here. You won’t win out against me. You won’t get their attention, and you can’t stop me. The sooner you realize that the better your chances of surviving with me around,” Ventru said watching this other woman for any response.
“You wouldn’t be here talking to me now if I wasn’t a threat to what you are planning on doing. I must be stopping you somehow. I’m glad of it. You won’t get away with this. The crew will stop you,” she said smiling. She wondered what she had done to impede this being’s progress. Ventru sneered.
“What reacts with…” she was about to ask when Emily stopped her.
“I’m not helping you in any way. You may have my body, but you won’t have my mind. That’s the problem. That’s why you are here. Well forget it. Destroy me if you want. Keep my body, but I won’t let you harm this crew!” Emily said with her hands balled into fists. Ventru disappeared. Emily sighed wishing she knew how to get rid of the other being.
~That’s it. I should work on that problem from here. She wants something to aid her progress. What if I gave her the wrong thing and ended up getting rid of them?~ She thought with a smile. She started to think of what she knew about possession and how to rid a being of an extra spirit.
<Sickbay>
Ventru opened her eyes and wondered what she could do to persuade this woman to cooperate.
Ensign Emily Anderson
Medical Officer
USS Malinche NCC-38897-B
Re: Mission 12: When In Rome
<<Malinche, Sickbay, 12.15, Day Four>>
Ventru was tired of this. She sighed and decided on a nice walk. She told the nurse she was stepping out and to contact her if she was needed.
Ventru walked the corridor and was heading, well, she didn't know where to go. She sighed and decided to see where her feet took her. She entered the turbolift, and saw she wasn't alone. She leaned back against the turbolift. "Hello, I'm Emily Anderson. Who might you be?" She asked the fella standing there.
"Caleb" looked over at her, "Is that the game we're playing then? In that case, I'm Caleb Corrin." He gave her a half smile. By now Ventru should have realized who he was. Granted, the different bodies made things more confusing, but still.
"Sorry I knew you were one of us, but which one is difficult to tell. This woman doesn't possess anything for me to tell who is who," she said then sighed.
"A little up tight are we? Things not going well in Sickbay?" He stopped the turbolift so they could continue their conversation without interruptions. If others got upset, well, he - err...Caleb - was an Engineer - he could just say there was some kind of malfunction.
"This woman won't open her mind to me. It's the one drawback to having her body. How can we continue with the plan if we don't have Medical behind us?" She asked not sure how this would work.
"Don't worry," Alex replied. "We're well on our way. Mostly we just need to divert people's attention so we can just continue back to the asteroid field. You being in Sickbay and speaking with the Counselor will mostly provide us with information - that and you can cover for any 'symptoms' people exhibit. There's others in Medical that can actually treat people."
"It's too late. They have a list of people who have exhibited symptoms. The counselor has it at the moment. She is also speaking to people on her own. Accompanying her would look suspicious. I think I can come up though with a reason for the headaches," she said trying to think of a way to salvage this.
Alex nodded, "Don't worry, it won't be too much longer. I think it'll all work out. Thus far nobody's noticed we're going the wrong way." He smiled, the crew wasn't as good as they thought, it seemed. "Do you think anyone suspects anything?"
"I have a funny feeling that the captain does. I can't prove it though. Are you sure they don't notice this? It's possible they haven't told you, especially if you are on that list of symptoms. They might keep a close eye on us. I'll fix that in a hurry though. There's something fishy about that counselor. Makes my skin crawl," she said shaking her head. She hated being around both women, and hoped they would get their mission finished soon.
He considered what Ventru said. "I'm sure several people suspect something odd is going on...how close they are to the truth I couldn't say though. I'm sure they don't know exactly what's happening though. They haven't noticed we're going the wrong way yet and we've been doing so for awhile now. I suppose they could've discovered it, but either they would've turned around - which they haven't, I've checked - or would've been interviewing some of us a bit more thoroughly."
"That's true. I still think we should be on our guard though," she said wondering who else was one of them.
"How are you going to fix them keeping a close eye on us?" Alex raised an eyebrow.
"It's easy. A small virus has gotten onto the ship and into our systems. It is just spreading to the crew. I'll innoculate the crew with a fake cure, and then that will cover for the headaches and other symptoms," she said thinking this was the best way to go about hiding it.
Truthfully, Alex didn't think Ventru even needed to come up with an explanation, but if it made her feel better about the situation, it didn't bother him any. He nodded, "We should be arriving within the next several hours...I don't believe we've established a meeting place yet, but if we do I'll be sure to let you know."
"Thanks. Do we have people in every department?" She asked curious about this.
Alex shook his head, "No, there's really not that many of us this time. At least not in bodies."
"What happens if they do find out about us, and stop the ship?" She said hating to think so negatively.
Hiding his frustration from Ventru - her endless questions and concerns were starting to annoy him - Alex calmly replied, "At some point they'll have to find out anyway and to accomplish what we want, we'll have to tell them why we're at the asteroid field. Obviously it'd be better if we arrived at the asteroid field first, but if we don't, we'll explain then why we need them. After that, either they'll help us - as I'm fairly confident they will - or we'll try again with another ship."
"Oh, yes that makes sense. My stop is coming up," she said ready to be out of the turbolift. She felt like the walls were closing in on her. She tried to remember to breathe.
Alex nodded, "I'll be in touch." He felt the turbolift come to a stop and Ventru moved to leave.
Ventru headed for the Mess Hall figuring she could use something to drink at that time. She was hating how this body reminded her to eat and when.
JP with
Alex/Caleb Corrin (NPC)
played by:
Captain Isabel Kersare
Commanding Officer
USS Malinche NCC-38897-B
AND
Ventru was tired of this. She sighed and decided on a nice walk. She told the nurse she was stepping out and to contact her if she was needed.
Ventru walked the corridor and was heading, well, she didn't know where to go. She sighed and decided to see where her feet took her. She entered the turbolift, and saw she wasn't alone. She leaned back against the turbolift. "Hello, I'm Emily Anderson. Who might you be?" She asked the fella standing there.
"Caleb" looked over at her, "Is that the game we're playing then? In that case, I'm Caleb Corrin." He gave her a half smile. By now Ventru should have realized who he was. Granted, the different bodies made things more confusing, but still.
"Sorry I knew you were one of us, but which one is difficult to tell. This woman doesn't possess anything for me to tell who is who," she said then sighed.
"A little up tight are we? Things not going well in Sickbay?" He stopped the turbolift so they could continue their conversation without interruptions. If others got upset, well, he - err...Caleb - was an Engineer - he could just say there was some kind of malfunction.
"This woman won't open her mind to me. It's the one drawback to having her body. How can we continue with the plan if we don't have Medical behind us?" She asked not sure how this would work.
"Don't worry," Alex replied. "We're well on our way. Mostly we just need to divert people's attention so we can just continue back to the asteroid field. You being in Sickbay and speaking with the Counselor will mostly provide us with information - that and you can cover for any 'symptoms' people exhibit. There's others in Medical that can actually treat people."
"It's too late. They have a list of people who have exhibited symptoms. The counselor has it at the moment. She is also speaking to people on her own. Accompanying her would look suspicious. I think I can come up though with a reason for the headaches," she said trying to think of a way to salvage this.
Alex nodded, "Don't worry, it won't be too much longer. I think it'll all work out. Thus far nobody's noticed we're going the wrong way." He smiled, the crew wasn't as good as they thought, it seemed. "Do you think anyone suspects anything?"
"I have a funny feeling that the captain does. I can't prove it though. Are you sure they don't notice this? It's possible they haven't told you, especially if you are on that list of symptoms. They might keep a close eye on us. I'll fix that in a hurry though. There's something fishy about that counselor. Makes my skin crawl," she said shaking her head. She hated being around both women, and hoped they would get their mission finished soon.
He considered what Ventru said. "I'm sure several people suspect something odd is going on...how close they are to the truth I couldn't say though. I'm sure they don't know exactly what's happening though. They haven't noticed we're going the wrong way yet and we've been doing so for awhile now. I suppose they could've discovered it, but either they would've turned around - which they haven't, I've checked - or would've been interviewing some of us a bit more thoroughly."
"That's true. I still think we should be on our guard though," she said wondering who else was one of them.
"How are you going to fix them keeping a close eye on us?" Alex raised an eyebrow.
"It's easy. A small virus has gotten onto the ship and into our systems. It is just spreading to the crew. I'll innoculate the crew with a fake cure, and then that will cover for the headaches and other symptoms," she said thinking this was the best way to go about hiding it.
Truthfully, Alex didn't think Ventru even needed to come up with an explanation, but if it made her feel better about the situation, it didn't bother him any. He nodded, "We should be arriving within the next several hours...I don't believe we've established a meeting place yet, but if we do I'll be sure to let you know."
"Thanks. Do we have people in every department?" She asked curious about this.
Alex shook his head, "No, there's really not that many of us this time. At least not in bodies."
"What happens if they do find out about us, and stop the ship?" She said hating to think so negatively.
Hiding his frustration from Ventru - her endless questions and concerns were starting to annoy him - Alex calmly replied, "At some point they'll have to find out anyway and to accomplish what we want, we'll have to tell them why we're at the asteroid field. Obviously it'd be better if we arrived at the asteroid field first, but if we don't, we'll explain then why we need them. After that, either they'll help us - as I'm fairly confident they will - or we'll try again with another ship."
"Oh, yes that makes sense. My stop is coming up," she said ready to be out of the turbolift. She felt like the walls were closing in on her. She tried to remember to breathe.
Alex nodded, "I'll be in touch." He felt the turbolift come to a stop and Ventru moved to leave.
Ventru headed for the Mess Hall figuring she could use something to drink at that time. She was hating how this body reminded her to eat and when.
JP with
Alex/Caleb Corrin (NPC)
played by:
Captain Isabel Kersare
Commanding Officer
USS Malinche NCC-38897-B
AND
Ensign Emily Anderson
Medical Officer
USS Malinche NCC-38897-B
Re: Mission 12: When In Rome
<Unknown>
The man was old, what hair he had was grey and he wore slim glasses low on his nose.
“Hi Jack, must say it’s a surprise to see you here.”
“Here?” Jack asked the old man confused, “Where is here? What the hell is going on old man?”
The old man chuckled to himself and reached for the lamp on the desk, angling it towards the wall and then pointed. Jack walked over and looked, it was a large faded map, it showed what looked to be a network of corridors with a key all down the side, the numbers similar to those he saw on the doors outside.
“What is this place?” He asked impatiently, prompting the old man to smile and point slightly higher, Jack glanced up and saw the heading on the map; it read “The Jonathan Hawkins Reference Library”.
He turned round confused and saw the old man still smiling, before he could ask another question the old man spoke, “This is your subconscious Jack, specifically speaking this is the part that houses your memory, anytime you want to recall something it’s this department that finds it for you...”
Just as the man finished talking Jack heard a whooshing sound and noticed two tubes next to the desk, a small pod appeared in one, “Oh good timing!” The man exclaimed and opened the small canister. He pulled out a small piece of paper, it had hand written notes on it, but jack couldn’t make them out, “Right now you’re requesting information about a conversation you had with an Engineer the other day”
“How can I be requesting it?” Jack was almost too confused to try and comprehend what was going on, at this point he was just willing to go along with it, “I’m right here...”
“Well...” the old man said pensively, “this isn’t your handwriting, if I had to hazard a guess I’d say you weren’t driving at the moment...” he smiled “that explains how you were able to come and visit me down here.”
“Not driving?” Jack paused, “Wait, you mean not driving my body!?”
The man replied calmly, “Well...yes...”
The man was old, what hair he had was grey and he wore slim glasses low on his nose.
“Hi Jack, must say it’s a surprise to see you here.”
“Here?” Jack asked the old man confused, “Where is here? What the hell is going on old man?”
The old man chuckled to himself and reached for the lamp on the desk, angling it towards the wall and then pointed. Jack walked over and looked, it was a large faded map, it showed what looked to be a network of corridors with a key all down the side, the numbers similar to those he saw on the doors outside.
“What is this place?” He asked impatiently, prompting the old man to smile and point slightly higher, Jack glanced up and saw the heading on the map; it read “The Jonathan Hawkins Reference Library”.
He turned round confused and saw the old man still smiling, before he could ask another question the old man spoke, “This is your subconscious Jack, specifically speaking this is the part that houses your memory, anytime you want to recall something it’s this department that finds it for you...”
Just as the man finished talking Jack heard a whooshing sound and noticed two tubes next to the desk, a small pod appeared in one, “Oh good timing!” The man exclaimed and opened the small canister. He pulled out a small piece of paper, it had hand written notes on it, but jack couldn’t make them out, “Right now you’re requesting information about a conversation you had with an Engineer the other day”
“How can I be requesting it?” Jack was almost too confused to try and comprehend what was going on, at this point he was just willing to go along with it, “I’m right here...”
“Well...” the old man said pensively, “this isn’t your handwriting, if I had to hazard a guess I’d say you weren’t driving at the moment...” he smiled “that explains how you were able to come and visit me down here.”
“Not driving?” Jack paused, “Wait, you mean not driving my body!?”
The man replied calmly, “Well...yes...”
Lieutenant Jonathan "Jack" Hawkins
Acting Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Malinche NCC-38897-B
Re: Mission 12: When In Rome
Bridge, 1058, MD04
"I have a feeling that its done more then that ensign," Jason reported, bringing the same screen that flight had up.
He knew that they were going back the wrong way but something or someone had fooled the ships computer into thinking that they weren't. IT took some serious programming skills to accomplish that feat and given that fact it was also a high probability that whoever had tampered with the navigational sensors could have tampered with something else.
"Ops, I need a report on who accessed the navigational/guidance systems in the past 24 hours."
Someone or something really wanted them back at that asteriod field and for what reason, Barrett had no idea.
OFF:
"I have a feeling that its done more then that ensign," Jason reported, bringing the same screen that flight had up.
He knew that they were going back the wrong way but something or someone had fooled the ships computer into thinking that they weren't. IT took some serious programming skills to accomplish that feat and given that fact it was also a high probability that whoever had tampered with the navigational sensors could have tampered with something else.
"Ops, I need a report on who accessed the navigational/guidance systems in the past 24 hours."
Someone or something really wanted them back at that asteriod field and for what reason, Barrett had no idea.
OFF:
Lieutenant Commander Jason Barrett
Executive Officer
USS Malinche NCC-38997-A
Re: Mission 12: When In Rome
<<Malinche, Mess Hall, 12.35, Day Four>>
Ventru entered the mess hall wondering what she should try out. She hadn’t had anything since the body was taken over. She tried to make this mind work so that she would know what was normal for Emily to eat. She had a funny feeling she wouldn’t know, and for some reason she felt like a large stack of French fries covered with honey mustard. She walked over to the replicator getting that and a large soda.
She took her items over to an empty table and started to eat the stack while looking out at the stars. She thought over the last day of events, and sighed. Things were looking way too good. She had a bad feeling about their plans.
She kept munching down on fries and drinking her soda wondering if there was any way to keep going only half there. She thought about ways to get Emily to help her. She knew threatening Em’s love life wasn’t a way to go. She was a little amused to find that the woman didn’t have one. ~What is she waiting for?~ She thought.
The fries had satisfied her stomach, but she couldn’t get over the feelings this body was giving off. She noticed a man not far away and felt her cheeks grow hot. ~Now what is this?~ She thought feeling like she needed to leave and quickly before anything happened. She got up leaving the mess on the table, and walked out of the Mess Hall.
<Sickbay>
There wasn’t anything the nurses couldn’t handle just then. She was grateful for this and went into the CMO’s office to relax until she could figure out a way to unlock Emily’s mind. She hated pretending to be a doctor, when she in fact knew nothing about it.
Ventru entered the mess hall wondering what she should try out. She hadn’t had anything since the body was taken over. She tried to make this mind work so that she would know what was normal for Emily to eat. She had a funny feeling she wouldn’t know, and for some reason she felt like a large stack of French fries covered with honey mustard. She walked over to the replicator getting that and a large soda.
She took her items over to an empty table and started to eat the stack while looking out at the stars. She thought over the last day of events, and sighed. Things were looking way too good. She had a bad feeling about their plans.
She kept munching down on fries and drinking her soda wondering if there was any way to keep going only half there. She thought about ways to get Emily to help her. She knew threatening Em’s love life wasn’t a way to go. She was a little amused to find that the woman didn’t have one. ~What is she waiting for?~ She thought.
The fries had satisfied her stomach, but she couldn’t get over the feelings this body was giving off. She noticed a man not far away and felt her cheeks grow hot. ~Now what is this?~ She thought feeling like she needed to leave and quickly before anything happened. She got up leaving the mess on the table, and walked out of the Mess Hall.
<Sickbay>
There wasn’t anything the nurses couldn’t handle just then. She was grateful for this and went into the CMO’s office to relax until she could figure out a way to unlock Emily’s mind. She hated pretending to be a doctor, when she in fact knew nothing about it.
Ensign Emily Anderson
Medical Officer
USS Malinche NCC-38897-B
Re: Mission 12: When In Rome
Bridge, 1059, MD04
The Console beeped, signalling that the diagnostic was complete. Kaylee spun about in her chair and leant over her monitor. Her eyes scanned the report.
"I have a feeling that it's done more then that, Ensign," She heard Barret report from behind her.
She could only nod her head in agreement. By the looks of the diagnostic, someone had managed to access Flight Controls, and dump an algortithm into the myriad of coding and subroutines and command processors. Kaylee gave a moan, realising that she would need to dive into the coding herself and find the rogue coding. As she did so, she was actually pleasently suprised- while the command processors on the Malinche were sophisticated and complex for such a powerful warship, they were also written in a logical, easy format- alot easier to decode than the 50 year old processors back on the Zephyr.
There.
She found the rogue algorithm, now to find where it led to. She trailed the algorithm, as it carved a metaphorical path of destruction and disarry through the Flight Command Processors. Who ever had programmed this rogue was very very good. It had managed to weave and link through every single line of subroutine, effectively having itself symbiotic to the Flight command processors. Always two steps ahead. And impossible to quickly and cleanly remove.
"Bad news, Commander," Kaylee spun in her chair. "I dove into the rabbit hole, and I didn't like what I saw: Whoever did this knew what they were doin', and are makin' it hard to remove. I can't pinpoint its source of origin, yet. But basically, this rogue algorithm is laced all though Flight, and we won't be able to reconfigure our nav triangulation until it's completely purged. The coding seems to have some self-replicating command, to avoid destruction: It's coding way beyond me I'm 'fraid."
"Ops, I need a report on who accessed the navigational/guidance systems in the past 24 hours."
Kaylee looked past the Commander, to the Ops officer, Shultz. Surely coding would be a forte of his. As Kaylee walked up to chat to the Ops Officer, she gave the Malinche Flight Console a quiet pat, whispering. "Don't worry girl, we'll get you on the road soon."
END
TAG: Shultz, JP?
The Console beeped, signalling that the diagnostic was complete. Kaylee spun about in her chair and leant over her monitor. Her eyes scanned the report.
"I have a feeling that it's done more then that, Ensign," She heard Barret report from behind her.
She could only nod her head in agreement. By the looks of the diagnostic, someone had managed to access Flight Controls, and dump an algortithm into the myriad of coding and subroutines and command processors. Kaylee gave a moan, realising that she would need to dive into the coding herself and find the rogue coding. As she did so, she was actually pleasently suprised- while the command processors on the Malinche were sophisticated and complex for such a powerful warship, they were also written in a logical, easy format- alot easier to decode than the 50 year old processors back on the Zephyr.
There.
She found the rogue algorithm, now to find where it led to. She trailed the algorithm, as it carved a metaphorical path of destruction and disarry through the Flight Command Processors. Who ever had programmed this rogue was very very good. It had managed to weave and link through every single line of subroutine, effectively having itself symbiotic to the Flight command processors. Always two steps ahead. And impossible to quickly and cleanly remove.
"Bad news, Commander," Kaylee spun in her chair. "I dove into the rabbit hole, and I didn't like what I saw: Whoever did this knew what they were doin', and are makin' it hard to remove. I can't pinpoint its source of origin, yet. But basically, this rogue algorithm is laced all though Flight, and we won't be able to reconfigure our nav triangulation until it's completely purged. The coding seems to have some self-replicating command, to avoid destruction: It's coding way beyond me I'm 'fraid."
"Ops, I need a report on who accessed the navigational/guidance systems in the past 24 hours."
Kaylee looked past the Commander, to the Ops officer, Shultz. Surely coding would be a forte of his. As Kaylee walked up to chat to the Ops Officer, she gave the Malinche Flight Console a quiet pat, whispering. "Don't worry girl, we'll get you on the road soon."
END
TAG: Shultz, JP?
Ensign Lauren Kaylee
Flight Control Officer
USS Malinche NCC-38897-B