Best Laid Plans

[Jackie Clawson]

OFF: OKay time to kick things off. This is the first round.



ON:

<<USS Astalder -- Several Hours later>>

Jackie couldn’t help but smile as she saw the familiar outline of an intrepid class Starship calmly resting at one of the docking ports of the base. As she swung the Astalder nearby the other ship, the name and the NCC number stencilled on the ship’s hull was clearly visible. She was home, or at least she would be once she docks the Sovereign class at StarBase Bravo.

It took her about ten minutes to go through the procedure. Securing the Astalder in the docking port, the Caitian relieved the station and thanked the Captain for his hospitality before rushing off to pick up her belongings and disembark.

Standing at the entrance to Starbase Bravo Jackie half wished to go back inside the Astalder. Gripping her new betleH tighter the Caitian knew too well that she had responsibilities awaiting for her once she stepped onto the Starbase part of her domain now, and got back onto the Horizon, now the Flagship of the Task Force she was in charge of.

She wasn't the only one waiting by the airlock. A casual figure was leaning against the wall, duffel bag slung over one shoulder, broad metal case resting against the floor. It seemed he had been lounging there for some time, and Falco Tauvits glanced up as she approached. He raised a hand to giver her a brief finger-salute, hefting his bag and picking up the case. "Just had to go through the docking procedure yourself, huh?" His smile was rather wry and lopsided.

“Docked the Horizon when we came here�? she shrugged. “It’s soothing for my nerves�? she smirked lightly. “Reckon I won’t get to do that too often, what with having to actually lead a Task Force�? she smirked switching her betleH to her other hand.

“Take it you’re sticking around the Base for a bit or you got other plans?�? she asked as she hopped onto the starbase and glanced around casually trying to figure out where the Horizon was before heading off in one direction.

"They don't let you get to play with your station of choice when you're a CO very much, let alone a TFCO." Tauvits gave a shrug as he smoothly hopped into action to fall into step beside her. He was still wearing the rather dishevelled looking white shirt with his brown flight jacket over the top of it, and in this area of Starfleet docking, did indeed grab some attention by being out of uniform. "And yeah, I have a few... duties to attend to around the place."

Jackie shrugged lightly. “Oh I don’t know, I had no problem taking helm of the Horizon; I think they kind of got used to seeing me there�? she shrugged lightly. “Reckon now I won’t have that luxury that much�? she said almost wistfully. “But I’ll try to steal a moment or two�?

She smiled suddenly as they neared the Horizon’s docking port. She was almost home. Flipping the blade over she took a step forward and stepped onto the Horizon filled with satisfaction and happiness of being back home again as the ship greeted her with the familiar sights and sounds.

She realised how much she missed the Intrepid, even if she was away for only a week. She couldn’t wait to get to the bridge, and that’s where she’s headed, completely unaware that Falco Tauvits was still beside her.

"So, who do you have to pester to find out where your quarters are on this ship? I never served on an Intrepid, I'm not familiar with these ladies." Tauvits was indeed, however, still beside her, and casting glances about the corridors in an interested way as he followed her along on the route towards the bridge.

Jackie stopped in her tracks and turned to regard the male beside her with high curiosity.

“What do you mean ‘served on an Intrepid’?�? she asked, eyebrow raised. Had she missed something whilst she was away or…did he simply not tell her until now. How much did she lose track of the Horizon’s PADD work in a week?

"I was never assigned to one before." Tauvits' expression was calm, and he was giving her one of those blank stares to suggest he'd expected her to know what he was talking about. "I've served on Akiras, Ambassadors, Excelsiors, Sabres. Whole variety. The Intrepid missed me by." He glanced down the corridor, a faint frown on his face. "I'm going to have to invest in a map..."

“Whoa whoa… hang on….�? Jackie raised a hand; will everyone keep surprising her ever since Taylor appeared in her life? Did they all talk about it behind her back and thought it would be hilariously funny to throw the Caitian’s balance off like that? And shouldn’t she be starting to get used to surprises like that…

“When did this happen? I mean how did you…get assigned here exactly? And why hadn’t you said anything about it on the Astalder? �? she asked, “and I can show you around, not a problem. There are maps on every deck as well�? she said tugging at her uniform lightly, this was going in an interesting direction, for sure.

"I like surprises." Finally, the impassive look on Falco's face gave way for a broad, self-satisfied smirk. "I had to get from out behind that desk. It didn't take much time to meddle things around. You got Admiral T'Varel to handle anything I left behind, so don't worry that I'm going off-mission and leaving you in a load of mess for Task Force Operations. But I made a bid for freedom. You're looking at your new Mission Advisor."

Jackie was silent for a moment ah she allowed his words to sink in.

“Well then, Mr Tauvits. Welcome aboard�? she said smiling, “I’m sure I could use your presence and advice aboard the Horizon.�? She smirked lightly as they got to the bridge. Not that the Horizon had much of a mission with the way they’ve been thrown about the Task Forces lately.
The bridge wasn’t staffed by the senior staff since they were currently docked; it was likely that the senior staff were all taking some much needed R&R whilst she was away. She nodded an idle greeting to the crewmen who were at the consoles.

“Let me check what’s available and I’ll sort out your quarters and show you around right away�? she said motioning to her ready room, wondering what changes aboard had occurred whilst she was away.

"I'm sure you have settling in to do." Tauvits waved a hand dismissively as he followed her. "Unless, of course, you're being too smart to let me loose on your ship without supervision. I promise, provided I know where the bar is, I'll be fine."

Jackie shrugged, tapping the pad to let them inside her ready room.

“I think I’m starting to get used to being…surprised�? she smirked as she made her way to he console and brought up the current compliment of empty crew quarters. “Any specific preferences for quarters? Closer to the bar perhaps?�? She smiled lightly as she asked the question; well aware of the particular fondness of a good drink that he’d shown at the tournament.

“I’ll get to meet the senior staff soon enough anyway.�? She noted. “Most of them are likely not aboard whilst they can still take time off. I’m the looney who’d rather work than ‘take time off’�? she said fiddling with the console as it brought back the results she asked for.

"Bar would be good. Saves me staggering distance. So long as there's a bed, I'm really not too fussed about the quarters. I don't need anything fancy." Tauvits shook his head, moving over to take the seat on his side of the desk and lounged back in it with a slightly self-satisfied smile. "Still, I always found time off to be one of the best ways to get to know the senior staff. They'll all be horribly uptight if you try to go drinking with them at first, but after a few pints you do actually get to know the people underneath the surface."

“Deck two it is then�? Jackie noted, tapping a few commands in. “Not that I do much drinking, with staff or without. Unless you count coffee�? Jackie confessed. “I rarely drank bloodwine before the tournament. But it appears I have developed a… taste for it “ she said picking up a PADD and keying it into her console, she stood up and made her way for the exit.

“Our Lounge stocks quite an extensive variety of drinks.�? She added, “I’ve not really been down there often enough to try much of them myself�? she said shrugging lightly, considering she didn’t really socialize much because she’d limited her actual ‘off duty time’. “but Jefferson keeps the lounge stocked up well it seems, I’ve yet to hear any complains from crew about not having a big enough variety of drinks there�?

She nodded towards the Turbolift waiting for them; calling up deck two she stood back to let Tauvits enter and the turbolift whisked them up.

"Sounds excellent." Tauvits wore a smirk. "Bloodwine can pack quite a punch; if you're developing a taste for that, I can imagine some Terran drinks would be pretty mild and pleasant in comparison. We'll have to do a crash course in pints at some point." He glanced over at her. "In the meantime, what's the Horizon headed for next?" There was a brief pause as Falco gave a slightly exaggerated, yet sheepish shrug. "I haven't yet picked up all the paperwork."

Jackie chuckled lightly.

“Crash course, I better not end up with a hangover. My crew’d wonder what the hell I got hit with at the tournament,�? she noted lightly leading the way out of the turbolift. “What’s Horizon up to next, I reckon we’d actually get settled into the Raeyan Sector. Have a look around, see what’s out there.�? She said. “Establish our presence somewhat�?

"Dance around with Corporates, locals, pirates... maybe the Klingons will carry on shoving their noses in." Falco shook his head, looking faintly irked. "You'd think they'd have learnt to keep out after their scrap with the Krazzle, but nope, they still get uppity about territory."

“Yeah so I’ve heard.�? Jackie noted dryly. “I don’t see how my feisty attitude would help dissolve the situation in some cases., but…�? she shrugged. “who am I to question Starfleet.?�? Jackie noted stopping at a door, keying in the code she let the door swoosh open revealing the quarters beyond it. “here you go, the Lounge is at the end of the corridor that way�? she pointed to her right. “easy enough ‘stumbling distance’ I hope?�? she asked

“Oh, I mastered the five hundred metre stumble at the Academy. Twenty years doesn't make me forget." Tauvits stepped into the small, but compact and well-designed room, glancing around with a small smile on his face. "Reminds me of Akira-class quarters." There was a small moment as he half-closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, and seemed to be lost for several long, winding seconds of memory.

Then he glanced back at Jackie, and his expression was just as casual as it had been all along the walk and the talk as he tossed his bag over onto the small sofa. "This is excellent. No complaints at all, Admiral."

“Five hundred metre stumble?�? Jackie blinked, not recalling that particular part of the course, “Oh!�? she murmured as realisation hit her. “that.. five hundred metre stumble.�? She said slightly embarrassed.

“I’ll be holding a senior staff meeting once we depart in about 48 hours. I think a week of cooling our heels at StarBase Bravo’s enough rest and relaxation�? she said, “you’d probably want to be at the meeting, �? she paused regarding Tauvits for a moment, he did look slightly out of place in civilian clothes, “Any particular reason you’re…civilian?�? she asked, recalling that he was wearing his Starfleet uniform when she’d met him at the tournament, wasn’t he? She shook her head, the days of the tournament a blur in her mind in some parts still. Or did he just take the assignment right before the tournament ended.

"I'm on detached duty," Tauvits explained, shrugging again. "It gave me the flexibility to actually get out from behind that desk, not to mention the fact that it could easily cause quite a few chain of command mishaps to have a Rear Admiral running around on the starships of the Task Force. I'm here to advice, not to give out orders. I have the authority I need to gather the information I need, without horribly unbalancing things or overstepping my boundaries with a pair of boxed pips."

Jackie chuckled.

“Sounds fair�? she said. “but hey you’re more of an authority on the Raeyan Sector than I am, any day. At least for now�? she added. “I’m used to being told by the TFCO where to go and who to go after�? she shrugged. “This… change wasn’t exactly something I’d expected, not so soon anyway�? she shook her head lightly. “So I figure we do a little exploring first, see what sort of weirdoes are running around out there for ourselves.�?

"Finding your feet." Tauvits nodded. "It makes sense. I'll be here for now, but one of these days, you're going to have to be 100% au fait with how the Sector ticks without Ol' Blue to help you out." Another sideways smirk.

Jackie smirked.

“Course.�? She nodded. “I wasn’t expecting you to be here now. Hence why I wanted to get settled in first by just exploring the Sector a bit. Now that you’re here I guess I’d best get what I can from you whilst you’re available�? she smiled lightly. “All I know about the sector right now is the Intel I’ve read so far, and that’s far from everything. And definitely doesn’t match up to actually being there�? she said.

“I didn’t actually have a lot of time to look over the …paperwork, Dan dropped the fact that we were on our way to the tournament on my head in the middle of the Intel brief.�? She said. “You guys seem to enjoy surprising me.�? She smirked. “Taylor, K’Hare, you.�? She noted. “makes me wonder where the next one’s gonna come from.�?

"We tend to like surprises." Tauvits' smirk remained as he moved to collapse happily onto his new sofa. "But don't worry. I've done that enough for now. I figure there's enough to surprise us all out in the Raeyan Sector without me causing more fun."

“Hey not saying there’s anything wrong with surprises�? Jackie said. “Especially when there’s fun attached at the end of that. Tournament was definitely proof of that.�? She spoke, throwing a PADD a Tauvits. “Ships’ key locations are on there. And you can always ask the computer should you get lost; feel free to drop by the bridge anytime that’s where you’ll most likely find me�?

"Oh, I'll be sure to keep an eye on the way things tick over." He caught the PADD deftly, grinning at her. "Pester me with questions about anything if you need to. And I don't just mean official stuff. If your TGCOs are giving you trouble, or the Corporate Consortium think mining in a Prime Directive-protected planet is funny... well." Tauvits' expression softened from the amused smile he'd been wearing most of the afternoon. "I'm here to help. As a Mission Advisor, as your predecessor in the big chair, and as a friend."

The Caitian smirked, the smirk growing into a wide grin.

“Thank You�? she nodded. “I’ll be sure to put your skills to good use�? she said. “Whether it’d be anything Task Force related or otherwise …�? she trailed off. “you don’t know why Starfleet picked me for this by any chance, do you?�? she asked taking a long shot at finding the answer to that particular question that still plagued her mind.

There was a pause as Falco regarded her, his head tilted to one side slightly. "You know, I asked myself exactly the same question every time I slumped up the Task Force chain of command. Never did get any straight answer out of anyone." There was a second as his expression turned thoughtful. "T'Varel might have had something to do with it. She's got a good eye for for the more out-of-left-field candidates who end up surprising everyone." The smirk returned to hover about his lips slightly.

Jackie snorted lightly.

“Wonder if you can get any more out of the left field than me�? she smirked lightly shaking her head. “I was surprised to get Task Force XO for 93, then bang along comes Taylor, gives my XO a promotion and a command, gives me a promotion with a skip in rank and a Task Force, feeds me bloodwine, catnaps me to the tournament… and then the actual tournament…yeah I’d say it’s been a fun week�? she chuckled lightly. “guess time will show how things will go on from here�? she smiled lightly shaking her head. Fate had a weird way of telling her things

“I’ll let you get settled, raid the Lounge, explore the ship, meet some folks.�? The Caitian said, “if you need anything, just tap the commbadge�?

"Oh, I'll be sure to pester." The smirk came back in full force. "Unpacking shouldn't take long. I'll try to not terrorise your senior staff down at the bar too much."

Jackie grinned lightly.

“They might need some terrorizing before they get back to duty.�? She smirked, “just to keep them on their toes.�? She smiled slyly, “Glad to have you aboard, Mr Tauvits�? she nodded lightly.

"Good to be aboard, Admiral Clawson." He gave another of the brief, casual finger salutes, his smile still broad. "Now get the hell out of my quarters so I can unpack and not have you judging my dirty laundry." He vaguely waved an amused, dismissive hand.

“Whatever you say,“ Jackie gave him a sly grin before disappearing outside his quarters and heading back to the bridge to take care of her business and get back into the fold of things.



OFF:

JP by the Blue man and the killer kitty (y'know, that kinda...sounds like a band name or something "the Blue Man and the Killer Kitty" )

[Jackie Clawson]

<<USS Horizon – Deck 2 >>

Jackie made her way to the turbolift lost in her own thoughts. Her ears flickered lightly at the familiar sounds of the Intrepid around her. She was glad to be back even if there were significant changes to things. She wasn’t sure how she or the crew would adapt to them, but they will at some stage. Jackie just hoped she’d still be able to do some things she enjoyed doing before she got a Task Force and a rank increase.

She stepped into the waiting turbolift and called out for Deck one; as the lift whisked her away to the bridge, the Caitian couldn’t help but wonder what her senior staff would be like now and how many new faces were there.

<Bridge>

K'Vok looked at the Ops console carefully, studying it. He wasn't used to Standard, or Federation technology, but it was fairly simple to understand. As it was, there was one of his subordinates, an Ensign 'JaQson' was standing over his shoulder watching him to make up he didn't screw anything up.

The turbolift signalled its arrival and the doors swooshed open letting the lone Caitian out. Jackie threw a glance over the bridge and moved towards her ready room, then stopped in her tracks as her gaze caught something....rather someone really out of place on the bridge. A closer glance proved it was someone she didn't think she'd see again. Fate was trying to be funny again.

"For crying outloud..." she murmured under her breath, "what the hell are you doing on my ship?" she called out approaching the ops console, her tail flickering behind her in annoyance as her gaze met K'Vok's.

K'Vok smiled broadly, impishly. "Hello, Admiral, K'Vok ne' reporting as your new Chief Operations Officer, KDF Exchange Program...without the hormones."

Jackie's ears flickered at the words, she watched him for a moment her eyes narrow. Who else was hiding aboard her ship from the tournament?

"Mr K'Vok, my ready room." She spoke in a steady tone that made the request an order.

She moved off towards her ready room , her mind already working on what to say.

K'Vok followed, keeping a careful eye on her fine lithe body. The only thing he could complain about was the fur, and still that had some appeal, even if it tasted horrible. "Yes, Admiral?"

Jackie turned to face the half breed once the doors slid shut behind them.

"Seems a coincidence you applied for the Klingon exchange program and ended up on my ship." she said, watching him carefully. "Why?" she asked.

"You didn't get to meet the real me, kitty...and would it have been the same if you had?" K'Vok shrugged his armoured shoulders, "I, I want to be judged on my own merits, not on hormone induced actions."

Jackie's eyes flashed anger.

"Don't call me that," she spoke barely containing a growl. “It’s Admiral Clawson or ma’am” she spoke.

"Why do you want to be judged by me at all?" she asked, her tail flickering behind her, did he just not get it that she wasn't interested in a mate right now? How hung up can one get on mating?!

"You were Ta'pez's kr'tach, part of his house, part of his crew....and you left that all behind...do you have any idea of the consequences of that alone?! is it *that* important to you that a Caitian judges you on your merits?"

"I have never cared about a house or crew, Ta'pez was a hypocrite as well. What are the consequences of leaving that? Unimportant. I am still part of cheng and under their protection in the Empire." K'Vok replied, leaning closer to her. "Why do I want to be judged? Because I don't run away, and anything I pursue, I pursue to the end. Yes, it is that important that a Caitian judges me on my own merits."

Jackie flinched lightly as he leaned closer to her. Taking in a breath she raised an eyebrow, "And are you pursuing me?" she asked, well aware of the answer to that question, "You are aware that you are under my command now, not at the betleH tournament. Things are different on the Horizon." she said, "On duty and off duty" she spoke, looking at K'Vok with a set look in her eyes that let him know she wasn't kidding.

"Different, not impossible, Jackie...there is a bond that exists between us now. I would make an excellent mate." K'Vok replied, "I can prove it with a chance."

Jackie gave him a curious look, "what... bond...?" she threw K'Vok a exasperated look, mentally slapping herself in frustration at his stubbornness. "I don't *need* a mate, I've made it clear before." she said, "or did it not get through even after the last time you confronted me?" she asked, reminding him of their last confrontation.

"Not the same type of bond as if we were mated, but a bond as if... akin to the same bond as people who've been stuck somewhere for a while. It is complicated, but can't you feel it?" K'Vok asked after explaining, then he barked a short laugh, "And you may not think you need one...but releasing all that tension would do wonders for your disposition, Admiral."

"In your mind, maybe" Jackie said crossing her arms on her chest. She fixed K'Vok with a look. "I am not tense, Mr K'Vok." She said her tail flickering behind her.

"Now let's get one thing straight. You're aboard the Horizon as Chief of Operations, whilst on my ship and on my bridge I expect you to focus on your job and carry yourself with appropriate decorum." she said, "and let me do my job. Understood?"

"Yes, ma'am...and you are a terrible liar." K'Vok replied with a grunt and a smirk.

"Explain..." Jackie said, letting the obvious comment that might be considered as insubordination by any other CO and in any other circumstances slide by this time.

"You're as tense as a young warrior in his first battle. While you might not like my suggestion for stress relief, you can't deny that you are wound tight, your tail is proof of that right now." The half-breed replied, pointing to her swishing tail.

"This isn't tense, this is annoyed" Jackie replied, "I just got back to my ship, and so far already had several surprises, and I’ve yet to catch up on everything that’s going on here" she said, "we should be on our way within 48 hours, I suggest you make sure you're up to the job and everything's ready by the time we depart" she spoke.

"I am one of the best Operations officers you can have, I won't disappoint you." The warrior met his Admiral's eyes, a determined look, "Don't judge me yet."

"Good. Make sure you don't disappoint me." Jackie nodded curtly, "I'm sure you would not appreciate the consequences of ... disappointing me" she looked intently at him, her eyes meeting his to bring her point home. "And who says I'm judging you already, K'Vok ne'?" Jackie asked, allowing herself a small smile.

"Very well. Dismissed?"

Jackie smirked.

"Go" she nodded towards the entrance to the ready room, "we depart in 48 hours, I want everything ready in 36." She waved a hand, a lone claw extended pointing towards the ready room doors as he grin widened slightly.

She watched the KDF officer walk out of her ready room. Jackie let out a small grunt shaking her head. This clearly complicated things just a little.

She made the announcement that they’d be departing in 48 hours. Powered by caffeine for the next 36 hours the Caitian dove into the mountain of PADDs littering her desk and began catching up on all she’s missed whilst away.

OFF:
JPed by the Stalker and the Stalked. (i.e. K'Vok and myself ;) )

No one tag/bug Jackie until my next post, please!

Tag QaDghab, feel free to make your entrance before I post the next part.

[Taylor]

ON

<< Deck 2 – USS Horizon >>

“Oh jesus!�? Toby almost screamed “The boss is back!�? his mind began running circles, circles he had run before. Turning the corner he hid as she walked past, she had been speaking to someone when Toby had caught sight of her, someone he couldn’t quite catch a good glimpse of.

Had he stopped and calmed down Toby would have realised there was a vague hint of recollection festering in his mind, instead he panicked.

“She’s going to kill me�? He screamed silently, small beads of sweat broke out across his forehead as the next thought crossed his mind “And then she’s going to flirt with me�?

“Oh god no, it’s happening again!�?

Toby hadn’t realised he screamed the words as he took off at high speed towards the turbo lift furthest away from Jackie’s intended direction.

He knew he had to hide; he just had to pick a good place. Somewhere the Caitian would never think of looking for him.

OFF

[QaDghab]

QaDghab muttered under his breath as he paced the shuttle, making the pilot nervous. His good eye studied the back of the pilots' head a moment before he went back to pacing. He hated these kind of assignments. They involved living and working with smelly Federation Races who understood little of Klingons. What made it worse was that he had been busted down a few ranks right before this assignments. But not because of the assignment as they had told him in excuse, but because they thought he was a useless piece of old Targh meat.

He harrumphed, "Stupid fools..." He muttered as he rubbed at his blind eye. "Sacrifice my eye and ear for them bastards and this is what I get." He felt a twinge in his back and he sighed as he sat down again. Opening a bottle of Chech'tluth he took a gulp before snarling at the pilot. "How much longer till arrival? Surely this piece of junk can move faster!"

The pilot, a young man was sweating threw his uniform and oddly pale as he answered, "Uuhhh... Almost there sir. We are going as fast as safely possible."

"...Fast as safely possible..." QaDghab muttered with disgust and got up.. going to front he lifted the pilot from his seat, handing him his bottle of Chech'tluth. "Hold that, I'm flying this piece of junk." The Pilot turned sickly green as the shuttle without a pilot started to turn off course, but QaDghab quickly sat in the seat and took the controls. The shuttle straightened out... but then kicked into high speed... zooming towards the base in turned and loops.... behind him he heard the young man loose his lunch, but ignored the fowl odor as he piloted the ship. It didn't take long to reach the base... and despite all the speed and loops QaDghab had piloted well.

However after clearance it became another story, as with only one eye, QaDghab didn't have very good depth perception. The shuttled wavered in and out.. slowing and speeding as it looped around towards the shuttle bay... it appeared as if he was about to hit the door of the bay for a close moment....causing the pale pilot to pass out in shock as he came within a foot of the bay doors before suddenly adjusting his course and speed and sliding in however the speed was still slightly high and they bumped the deck a few times and skid slightly before the shuttle finally settled peacefully in the bay.

QaDghab wasted no time and stepped over the unconscious pilot as he grabbed his stuff and headed out before the Bay staff could come in to investigate. He quickly headed for the airlock that linked between the base and the ship.

<Tag who ever. Not entirely sure regs for entering.. been a while since had a character board a Fed ship like this :D >

[Robert Barnes]

ON

<Main Engineering>

Robert smiled a little as the handoff between night shift and day took place. As the third shift headed off-duty, Robert continued to place names and faces together. It's not proper for the Chief Engineer to call his techs "Hey you." Hopefully things will settle down now, at least until we get underway.

"Shuttlebay to Engineering. We need a damage control party down here. A shuttle just...well, crash landed."

Robert looked up at the communiations pickup "Engineering. We're on it. Barnes out." So much for hope... "Damage Control Team One, let's go take a look at our latest arrival."

With that Robert headed out of Engineering, followed by three of his staff.

OFF

[Grenn]

<<Main Shuttlebay>>

J'al was still sleeping in the rear section of the shuttlebay. Out of nowhere, a loud series of bangs and a grinding metal sound olted him awake.

He shook his head as he sat up. He must have dozed off while working on the fighter. Standing up, he walked through the series of reinforced doors to the main bay that were there to guard the entrance from the storage areas in case of decompression.

He found a shuttle sitting normally, but with buckled deck plates behind it. Nobody else had arrived yet, but he swore he saw a door close as he walked in.

Running over to the ship, he opened the door as some of the crew were running into the bay from the monitering area. They and he dragged out an unconcious pilot and they started attending to things.

Ever the intrigued one, and feeling he needed to know what happened as Chief of Intelligence, he pulled up the computer logs.

OFF:

Tags to Engineering coming in. J'al was already there. He fell asleep working on the Grenn/Clawson fighter project, so thats why he's already there :D

[Sammy Jo Swan]

Sammy had found her quarters ok the previous night now she was up dressed and getting ready to report in to LT Kao, he had not told her a time just to report in this morning so she was making sure she was there for the start of first shift.

Leaving her quarters she made her way through the corridors to the lift, leaving the lift on the correct level she headed to the security office. She entered the office walked over to the officer sitting at the desk, "Good morning Sir i am here as ordered to report in for duty"

Off: Tag LT Kao

[Devid Silva]

Devid slowly wakes from the nice sleep he had, climbs out of bed and heads for the refresher station to get cleaned up to report for duty.

Devid gets dressed tries to cover the scar on his face as best he can so as not to make any wrong impressions.

Devid picks up a data padd from his desk that he had been studying last night after returning to his quarters. The information is a map of the ship.

Devid walks out of his quarters padd in his hands and heads for the nearest turbolift. Devid walks into the turbolife and says Bridge

Devid steps out of the bridge and looks around the bridge to see where the XO is so he can get his orders

[Michael Lynch]

Michael sat in his office in sickbay rubbing his temples.He had no idea what happened last night to cause him to drink so much.Well maybe he did but he couldn't admit it to himself.He had spent all morning removing the memory algorithms from the ships emh.
All that was needed was to reinitialize her and see if the program was still stable.

"Computer activate the EMH." Michael said while standing to go get something for his head.

He was searching thru a drawer of hypovials when he realized he hadn't heard the EMH greeting.Maybe he had botched up the job?Michael clicked the little vial of stimulants into a hypospray and injected it into the side of his next.Almost immediatly he could feel his headache
start to ease.

"I guess ill need to call an engineer."Michael set the hypospray back into it's place and turned around.His eyes grew wide at what he saw before him.The EMH was just standing there looking at him smiling.

"Hello Michael."The EMH said with a pleasant smile.

Michael sat back down behind his desk and picked up a padd."Hello...can you give me a status report on your holomatrix?"

The emh walked forward slowly and leaned forward her hands on his desk."You wern't able to delete me if thats what your after."She smiled at him again then turned and sat on the edge of his desk. "I really don't know why you would want to delete me anyway.
Especially when i can do things like this for you." She turned back towards michael and pulled his chin up with her hand and gave him a kiss softly on the lips.He should have resisted but he found himself unable to.

She was so much like shelly.Why couldn't she rememberanything?Or could she and was just not revealing that to him.The scans he had taken of shelly's neural patterns and pathways before she died might have been damaged in the right way as to block access to certain memories and thoughts for the EMH.The personality was there of course
but not what made shelly herself.

"Computer deactivate the emh."Michael waited for her to vanish.

"Sorry michael i'm not going anywhere."she said while walking up to him and unbuttoning his coat.Micheal seldom wore the traditional starfleet uniforminstead opting for more civilian medical attire.Usually a simple set of medical scrubs and a Starfleet doctors lab coat filled with instruments and padds of all sorts.Which the emh was now removing.

"Oh no! were not doing THAT again!"Michael backed away from the emh quickly knocking a few things off his desk and the shelving unit behind it."Computerdeactivate the emh!" Michael was getting panicked now.

"It's not going to work michael i tied my holomatrix into a whole bunch of other systems aboard the ship spread it out everywhere.It would take a team of engineers months and months to remove it all and take me offline." Her eyes wide she grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him into her kissing him hard on the mouth.
"I love you michael..and nothing is going to ever change that." Michael backed away from her as soon as she let him go.he turned and ran stumbling out of sickbay and into the corridor. "Oh crap......."

[QaDghab]

QaDghab moved quickly, leaving the Bay behind as he seached his way from one Corridor to another of the ship, his breaths coming in low heavy breaths and each time he pass a Crew member he would say a number in Klingon, apparently counting... "wa'... cha'.. wej... loS......." He wasn't entirely sure where he was going though, he had never been on this type of ship before... he continued on.... "wa'maH... wamaH wa' " He got to 12 and then stopped suddenly as he was nearly run into by someone running out of a room. "wa'maH wej..." He counted that head to even as he stopped to study the man with his good eye, his blind eye unmoving.

<Tag: Lynch.. or anyone else>

[Robert Barnes]

ON

<Shuttlebay>

Robert and his team barreled through the shuttlebay doors. "Freals, check that shuttle. Shut down it's power core."

The Bolian tech nodded and hurried over to the crippled craft.

"Newman, Calvers...check the conduits under the deck. Bypass anything that doesn't look stable. I'm going to hail Starbase Bravo and have them send over some new deckplates."

The other two engineers dashed over to the Jefferies Tube access and disappeared. Robert flagged down the deck chief, who looked a bit haggard.

"Sir, I don't know what happened. This shuttle was scheduled, but not for another 15 minutes. And then instead of a controlled approach it came in way too hot..."

Robert nodded. "And the pilot?"

"He's over there," the deck chief pointed to where several members of the deck crew were milling about, "We've called for a med-team, but they still haven't arrived."

"Right. Carry on, Chief."

"Yes, sir." The deck chief hurried back over to his crew. Robert turned and noticed Grenn standing in the control booth looking at something on the monitors. He strolled over.

"Find anything, sir?"

OFF

<TAG - Grenn>

[Grenn]

ON

<Shuttlebay>

J'al looked over the controls, and turned to see the Chief Engiener behind him. "No, not much of anything. Controls got fried when he landed. I suppose you will be able to get something out of it." he said, standing up and exiting.

"This thing woke me up." he said, stretching a little. "Heard two bangs, then a thud as it landed. Banged up the deck plating a little though." he said again, pointing to the deck.

OFF

[Robert Barnes]

ON

Robert looked at the console. It was definitely scorched. If it had blown, anyone standing here would have probably been killed. Grabbing a piece of optical cable, he connected his tricorder to the data port and began to download the information.

While the tricorder hummed, he stepped back out into the bay next to Grenn. The shuttle had powered down, so Freals must have secured the engines. The pilot was still unconscious. Robert quickly glanced around, but he didn't see any medical personnel.

"This thing woke me up." Grenn said, stretching a little. "Heard two bangs, then a thud as it landed. Banged up the deck plating a little though." he said again, pointing to the deck.

"Well, I'll have Starbase Bravo send over a new set of plates. We can recycle the damaged ones for their base elements. I'm more concerned that the medical team hasn't arrived yet for the pilot. Normally I don't have anything to do with Sickbay unless it's absolutely necessary, but this is very odd."

Robert went back into the control booth and grabbed the tricorder. He brought it out and showed it to Grenn. "This should help. I managed to retrieve the visual logs from the shuttlebay's recorders." He handed the tricorder over. "This is more your department. Or maybe Lt. Kao's."

OFF

[Grenn]

J'al accepted the tricorder and watched the image as it played. It clearly showed a Klingon stepping out of the shuttle and exiting the bay just before J'al got there.

"What the hell?" he said, almost exhasperatedly as he gave the tricorder back to Aaron. "There was a Klingon in that shuttle with him. And as far as I know he isn't one of our officers." he said, growling a little in frustration as he turned to exit into the corrodors that he had gone through.

The orders transferring the Klingon to the ship had come through while J'al was sleeping in the bay next to the fighter-build. He hadn't gotten a chance to check up, so he wasn't taking any precautions.

=/\= "Grenn to Kao." =/\= he said into his commbadge as he almost slammed his hand into it to open a channel. =/\= "An unidentified Klingon just entered the ship via a crashed shuttle. As far as I know he isn't assigned here. Could you do a search for him and have a Security team go to his location once you find him? I'd like to talk to him as well." =/\=

OFF: And there we go :)

[Michael Lynch]

Michael turned looking at the klingon male.He was still in shock from what happened. "I'm sorry my good man for running into you like that." Michael said adjusting his jacket. "Are you new here lost perhaps?" Michael wanted to get away from sickbay.Perhaps helping this klingon would facilitate that.Then again he could go see the admiral and introduce himself.....anything to get away from here and......her. "My unversal translator is working you should be able to understand me...and I you."

[QaDghab]

"Where is the Cheif of Security of this ship!?" He said bluntly in Accented Standard, with an automatic sneer on his scarred face. He hated working with Humans. His good eye now glared at the Human Male. Then he remembered what the Human's unifrom indicated and his face turned into a scowl. He did not wait for a response to his question.... "Stupid Qel (Doctor)!" He spat and turned getting ready to leave...

<Tag, and You been tagged by the Engineer as well>

[Sammy Jo Swan]

Sammy was standing at Kao's desk when the message came through, she did not wait for him to acknowledge her she turned and almost ran out the office =/\= Computer scan for any unauthorized personell Klingon in race and give me thier location =/\= she continued to head down towards the main shuttlebay =/\= The Klingon is down near sickbay heading towards the turbolifts =/\=

Sammy ran to the lifts and headed to the floor sick bay was located on, on leaving the lift she did not have to go far before she found the person she was looking for.

Sammy walked up and stood infront of the strange warrior (In tlhIngan Hol) Who are you and what is your purpose aboard this vessel?

Off: Tag QaDghab

[QaDghab]

"wa’maH cha'..." He counted again under breath as his good eye focused on the Half-breed woman. "I am QaDghab. I was assigned.." He said plainly in tlhingan Hol.

She took note that he was counting but chose to ignore it for now, still speaking in tlhingan Hol "What section are you assigned to, Who were you ordered to report too"

"To Chief Weap... Security." He said shortly. His eye veered off focus for moment as he eyed a passerby and seeing it was someone he already counted he didn't count. Instead looking back to her quickly.

I am Ensign Swan the Assistant Chief of Security/Tactical I will take you to LT Kao the Chief, he will want to talk to you".

QaDghab nodded silently, while what was left of the eyelid on his blind eye twitched slightly as his good eye moved seeing another passerby... "wa'maH wej..." He counted lowly under breath as he allowed her to show the way.

=/\= Swan to Grenn - I have our visitor and am heading for Security Office with him, Would you like to meet us there at your earliest convenience Swan out=/\= Sammy guided QaDghab to the security office and took him straight over to Lt Kao. "Sir this is our unannounced visitor his name is QaDghab he says he has been assigned to this vessel and your department."

By the time they reached the office QaDghab had counted 6 more times... when he saw Kao he finally reached 20. "cha'maH." Was all he said as he studied the Chief with his eye.

Tag: Kao, Grenn, anyone else

Mini JP:

Ensign Sammy Jo Swan
Assistant Chief Security/Tactical
USS Horizon-A
Taskforce 58

and

[Adam Kao]

ON:

Maneuavering round the junk he had on his desk, Adam sat back in his chair. He'd got up early to finish some reports off. People were coming on shift and others were going off. The door kept opening, closing, opening, closing. Adam wondered if he should just weld the door shut or somehow keep it open. Then again, the admiral wouldnt really like that. 'Mr. Kao, why is my security wardroom door completely sealed by a phaser discharge'. Thats what he could here her say. It did bring a small evil grin to his face but he soon got rid of it and went back to work.

"Good morning Sir i am here as ordered to report in for duty"

"The who what now?" Adam nearly fell off his chair. He was used to being left alone completely when he was working. He'd never had an official deputy before, and no doubt this one was going to be interesting. Before he could even open his mouth though...

=/\= "Grenn to Kao. An unidentified Klingon just entered the ship via a crashed shuttle. As far as I know he isn't assigned here. Could you do a search for him and have a Security team go to his location once you find him? I'd like to talk to him as well." =/\=

He looked up to Swan and nodded, seeing that she was eager to take that assignment. He sighed a little and realised he wouldnt have to do half the things he thought he had been doing. Sensor checks, security sweeps, weapons checks, tactical updates, training programs... Nope, he'd have someone else to do them now. All he had to do was staff meetings.

A few minutes had passed and Sammy came swandering back with the Klingon. Stepping towards Adam, he looked up and sighed. 'Why here? Surely the brig would be better if he's unauthorised. I dunno, these ensigns will get us all killed one of these days!' Adam thought to himself.

"Sir this is our unannounced visitor his name is QaDghab he says he has been assigned to this vessel and your department."

Adam looked at the Klingon and stood up. He sighed and smiled slightly.

"cha'maH." Was all he said as he studied the Chief with his eye.

"Excuse me?" Adam moved round the corner. "Well, if you're being assigned here, Federation standard is what we use. No Klingon. Not that I dont respect your language, I just dont understand it. If I hear it, you'll regret it." Adam looked the Klingon straight in the eye, returning the unntimidated factor back to him, just as Grenn came walking through the door.

<Tag: Grenn/Sammy/QaDghab>

OFF:

Sorry about the delay, been busy with Area 51.

[QaDghab]

"I can speak standard you fool! What I said was not for you to understand! I will speak my language on my own terms." QaDghab snarled. His eye glared right back at the much younger Human, while his blind eye only twitched.

<tags>

[Grenn]

((Kao's Office))

J'al walked in the door and saw the man he was looking for. As he stepped forward, he heard a hushed "21" in Klingon come from the man as he noticed J'al.

"Guess I'm the lucky one then." J'al said, as he walked up next to him. "By the way, here's this man's KDF records. Turns out he just got assigned here." the Caitian said, sliding the PADD across Kao's desk.

He cought an inquisitive look from all in the room. "Oh. That. Well, Klingons leave fingerprints just like anyone else. His were on the doorframe." he said, motioning to QaDghab with his thumb. "KDF military records are freely available to Intelligence Officers as part of the alliance. I didn't have to pull a trick or two this time."

J'al waited for a reply and watched the Klingon's eye twitch as he looked at him.

OFF: :)

[Robert Barnes]

ON

<Deck 10 - Outside Main Shuttlebay>

Robert thumbed the com line closed. Starbase Bravo would send over new hull plates by the end of the shift. I'll put a repair team on that before I go off-duty.

He turned from the panel and crossed the threshold into the Shuttlebay.

<Shuttlebay>

Robert saw his engineering team standing near the disabled shuttle. He also noticed a couple of the deck crew trying to realign the tractor beam so they could move the craft off the damaged plating.

"Everything under control?" The three engineers nodded. "Okay, report back to Engineering."

"Yes, boss."

The engineers left quickly. Robert felt he should make sure everything was secure before heading out himself. He went over to the pilot, who was groggy but conscious.

Muttering under his breath, Robert tapped his combadge. "Computer, where is the Chief Medical Officer."

"The Chief Medical Officer is on Deck 5."

"Is he in sickbay?"

"Negative."

Robert uttered a curse his mother used to use when the replicator broke. "Barnes to Nutley. Commander, would you please come down to the shuttlebay. And if it's not too much trouble, could you bring the CMO with you?"

OFF

<Tag - Nutley>

[Sammy Jo Swan]

Sammy stood to one side watching whilst the three senior officers talked, a look of shock crossed her face very quickly when Kao said that to speak in Klingon would bring trouble but said nothing it was not her place to do so.

She was surprised to find that QaDghab was of a higher rank than her but was expected to take orders from her, she had the feeling that that was something he would not take well to. She already got the feeling that like most full blooded Klingons he thought her weak, maybe even inferior because the human blood watered down the strong Klingon blood.

But for now he had not said or done anything to insult her so she would wait and see what happend, for now she just waited for orders and for her boss telling her what he expected from her whilst she served on his ship.

[QaDghab]

Before Kao could answer, J'al had come in and said all his stuff.

Then QaDghab found himself glaring at the Catlike creature with his good eye. Snearing, he spat... "Who is this walking Grishner Cat?! And why is he here." He said in disgust. He was surrounded by Federation weaklings. "I may be assigned here, but do not expect me to respect you fools from your weak federation races." He was looking at the asst. security as well.

<Tag: who's up to showing him his place?>

[Sammy Jo Swan]

Sammy stood there fuming at his words she tried to keep her temper under control it was because of her klingon trouble she had been demoted and sent here as it was, she clenched and unclenched her fists as she stood there her eyes burning into QaDghab's. (In tlhIngan Hol) "If our races are so weak what draws so many Klingons to mate with Human females, or is it only the weak and cowardly males that mate with Human females because they can not get a Klingon female to accept them". She almost spat the words as she locked she eyes with his.

Tag QaDghab

[QaDghab]

Surprisingly that pissed him off even more than would think it would, and he snarled. "It is Klingon fools who have yet to learn their place who mate with Humans! They allow Humans to decieve them into believing that Humans are worth their respect, and then get their backs turned on them!" He snarled.

[Sammy Jo Swan]

Sammy almost laughed (In tlhIngan Hol) "You almost sound as if you are talking from personal experience, tell me oh mighty pure blood warrior was it you or a member of your family that had to lower themselves to mate with a human female as no self respecting Klingon be' would have you or them". Her eyes showed none of the laughter that had crossed her face all that showed in her eyes was anger.

[QaDghab]

QaDghab fummed and almost reached to where his daQtagh was as he started to approch her angrily. He leaned into her face, his missing ear showing itself as he hair moved off of the scarred mass and ear canel that was left behind. (In tlhingan Hol) "You half-breed, have no right to judge Klingons." He spat as he finaly turned back to the others. Though his response unintentionaly also revealed the answer to her question.

[Sammy Jo Swan]

This time Sammy did laugh loudly Speaking to his back (in tlhIngan Hol) "so you could not even keep a human female interested in you, no wonder you dislike them she must of worked you over good to get that close and then just walk away. Or was there more to it than that maybe you wanted more from her than she could give. But being as old as you she would probably be dead or married to good HUMAN male by now so you will never know what you could of had"

[QaDghab]

Bitterly he turned and snarled lowly in tlhingan Hol, "She was a fool. I had to return to Klingon space, but she was a civilian. Rather than brave Klingon space she turned her back and ran like all coward humans." He spat angrily...


(OFF: Yeh I know, we got carried away. Hope is ok? )

[Sammy Jo Swan]

(in tlhIngan Hol) "If you had asked her you would probably of found she had reasons for her actions resposablitys back on Earth to deal with first, but that is not the way you work it must be your way or not at all so you lost her you have only yourself to blame for being alone and bitter in your old age".

Sammy almost growled the words as she thought about the way her mother had been treated by her father who ever he was she hoped he was also lonely in his old age.

[QaDghab]

(In tlhingan Hol) "I was a KDF warrior, she was a civilian... enough of this. Cowardly Cheif hasn't accepted my assignment yet." He growled lowly.

[Grenn]

(Security Office)

J'al listened for a moment. "He" he said, pointing to himself. "Is Chief of Intelligence on this ship. Perhaps you should have familiarized yourself with your assignment before trying to report in."

He turned to Lt. Kao before the Klingon had a chance to reply. "So do you accept his assignment? If so, I'll leave this to you." he said, looking at him.

Kao nodded, and approved the PADD containing the transfer orders.

J'al turned to the two Security Officers and spoke again. "That closes my end of this. I'm sure you have enough to discuss." he said, nodding and exiting the room.

OFF: There :) Since Kao is no longer here as far as I have heard.... I took the liberty of getting you guys out of there. You could close the convo out, or you could just restart a new post somewhere else ;)

[QaDghab]

<Few Hours Later>

ON:
Sammy was in her quarters cleaning her weapons she intended to go and get in some practice in the holodeck and her weapons needed to be clean and sharp, she had just finished cleaning the matched pair of Bowier Knives and re- sheathed them now she was cleaning the BatletH that had been given to her by the man that taught her how to fight like a Klingon.

QaDghab entered his quarters after duty and immediately snarled in displeasure as he saw the size of it and the big comfy human bed. He dropped all his belongings there in floor and stalked to room, growling lowly under his breath. He picked up and extra chair and threw it, shattering it against a wall before grabbing one of it's legs and using it to tear off the mattress from the bed. He then set his aching body on the frame that was left and attempted to sleep. However in his sleep he began shouting Numbers off and snarling loudly.'

As she sat there cleaning her weapons she suddenly heard a crashing sound from the quarters next door, with out thinking or dropping her weapon she ran out of her quarters and to those next door. It had gone quiet in the few seconds it had taken to reach the door she pressed the door chime BatletH in hand and waited for an answer, then she heard shouting she pressed the chime again but still got no answer and the shouting was still going on. Using her codes she overrode the door lock and entered the quarters quietly and carefully now holding her BatletH at the ready in case of attack.

The old warrior, long accustomed to waking when sensing an intruder, snapped awake. Keeping his breathing as steady as he could he moved to get up and moving quickly in the dark he attacked the intruder with a snarl.

Sammy was just about to shout out a warning when she was tackled to the floor by whoever was in the room, she hit the floor with a thud and lost her grip on her BatletH.

QaDghab could not see his attacker, but knew they had lost their weapon, he did not put his up but he didn't use it either in his next attack as he made a fist and tried to knock the intruder out.

as Sammy tried to get free from who had attacked her she called out "I am Secur...." that’s when the fist hit her square on the jaw and bust her lip. She made a fist of her own and hit her attacker in the side of the head and followed it with one to the ribs from the other side.

"Ooff!" Exploded from him though her fist had hit the hard leather of his armor. Snarling he hit back... and slammed his forecrest into her.

Her nose exploded across her face as his forcrest hit it at full force "you god forsaken ########### your gonna pay for that" she returned his headbutt with one of her own and at the same time continued to punch her attacker in the side with both fists no longer holding back she placed both her feet flat on the ground and pushed quickly pushing her attacker off balance.

QaDghab found himself crashing to the floor after that, his breaths in gasps. He immediately started to get up...

She rolled away in the opposite direction to that of her attacker giving her a chance to get to her feet before the next attack

The lights in the room finally started to flicker on, but QaDghab's blood was starting to rise. While being older it took a bit longer for his blood to boil, it still did and he didn't even get a good look at her as he attacked his good eye seeming crazed.

As the lights came on she saw a brief glance of her attacker as he came at her again his right fist connected with her jaw and his other to her stomach with enough force to push all the air from her lungs, she hit the floor like a sack of bricks her breathing labored as she tried to refill her lungs. She saw in his good eye that he was also in full attack mode and it would take some doing to bring him out of it, one of them would be unconscious before this fight would end. She dove sidewards to avoid the boot that was coming for her head, it caught her a glancing blow to her right shoulder instead.

Growling he attacked, his eye not seeing who she was as his mind was wrapped in with a past opponent. However at one point he also had his blind side to her...

As he attacked again not giving her time to gain her feet she rolled onto her side and brought her feet round rolling over onto her back she brought both her feet up and slammed them into his knees.

His knees gave out immediately sending him to the floor. His breaths came out in gasps as the gray haired warrior attempted to get up again and found his knees didn't cooperate.

seeing him fall she immediately pounced upon him and started to rain blows to his chest and head in an attempt to knock him out....whilst trying to block his blows in return....

Her blows made it difficult for him to get a breath and he angrily sent one into her ribs as hard as he could, while he still had the strength to. From there however he was at her mercy as his older body didn't keep up as well as hers and he tired out...

His fist contacted with her ribs again and not having the added protection of armor this time his blow broke some of her ribs making her shout in pain, and for just a couple of seconds she stopped hitting him.........

He lay there breathing heavily for a moment before he made another attempt to attack, obviously not that honorable in his methods as he made use of her distraction to attempt it despite fact he wasn't going full thrusters anymore.

She saw him try to attack again and swatted his blow to one side then with all the force she could muster she hit him on the jaw knocking his head back to crack on the floor..

QaDghab lost consciousness hi breathing still heavy and raspy and his blind eye oddly remained open as the side his ear missing on was turned towards her.

She sat there for a moment before climbing off him and leaning back against a wall. Dam it this was not going to look good for her first they had the argument in front of their boss and Grenn and now to top it off she was gonna have to call a med team down here or get him to sick bay. She had the feeling that the brass might not want to here her side of it straight off and even if they did she knew they would doubt her unless he told the same story. If he said that she had attacked him first then her career would be over she had a record for attacking senior officers and now it had happened again after only being aboard the ship one day. She sat there and hung her head in resignation of what was going to happen to her now.

QaDghab wasn't out long as he soon stirred his breathing coming out in gasps. He was blind for a moment as he turned his head slowly.. before he realized his good eye was closed.

She heard him gasping as he came round but did not move to assist him she just sat there with her head hanging from the shame she felt for what she had done.

QaDghab finally opened his good eye and shifted as he tried to look at her, she was on his blind side though.

Looking up and turning her face to him her nose and lip still pouring with blood "Are you in need of medical attention"

"You attack me and then ask me if I need medical attention!? What kind of assassin are you?!"

Her voice took on an edge of anger again "I did not attack you I came here to investigate the sounds of attack, the breaking furniture and raised voices. I tried you door chime twice and when i got no answer i overrode the door lock and entered, I was just about to announce my presence when you attacked me I tried again to say who I was but you continued to attack me. So I defended myself."

"You entered my quarters, lurking in dark. To all appearances you where an attacker." He snarled as he made an attempt to get up and grunted as pain radiated from his knees which where turned at an odd angle, having been knocked out of joint.

She looked down at his knees that was not good both were dislocated, she stood and walked over to him "You have two choices either i can put them back for you or you can go to sick bay and the doctor will do it, the choice is for you to make"

QaDghab grumbled, a difficult decision, but not to difficult. He hated sickbay a lot more, "You... but if you do it poorly you will regret it."

"If you are going to threaten me or attack me again than you will have to wait your turn, I already stand to lose my job over this misunderstanding so do not push me to leave you to the doctors treatment" She knelt at his feet and took a firm hold of his right foot and shin, she did not give him a chance to complain further as she pulled down and twisted at the same time popping his knee back into place then just as quickly did the same with the left. Standing she walked a few paces away and sat back down.

QaDghab clinched his teeth together, heavy rapid breaths going in and out his nostrils as he handled the pain that came from her resetting them. Breathing to heavily and quickly because he blacked out a moment from low oxygen.

She sat there waiting for him to come back round, she knew she should be heading to security to report this matter and then get medical attention for herself. But something stayed her hand and so she just sat and waited to see what he intended to do.

He awakened again and finally pulled himself up... he got up on his feet and then went right back down. He just pulled himself to a wall to sit up this time.

Your knees will need a few moments to recover before you try to walk, there will be pain for a while but i am sure one such as you can cope with the pain.

He strained to look at her, as she was on his blind side and got a glimpse before laying back. "I can't see you there. move where I can see you."

Sighing she got up and moved over to his other side and sat near him as she sat she noticed the house badge for the first time, she could not help but gasp at it "Your house badge i have seen it before, What was the name of the human female that left you. And do not lie to me about it I have to know now"

He frowned as he thought back... "Jonah... Jona..." He started to murmur trying remember how it was pronounced.

She sighed as her suspicion was confirmed 'he was her father' "Do you mean Joanna Swan"

QaDghab looked at her suddenly... "She was a relative of yours?" He said suddenly realizing the woman he had known and the one in front of him had same last name.

Reaching inside of her tunic she pulled out the pendant she wore then she pulled up her trouser leg to reveal a knife that she should not of been wearing she removed them both "She made me swear to return these to you if ever i met you. . . . . . . . . ." she handed him the two items.

He took them, studying them with his eye before suddenly dropping them as he studied her closely and gasped a moment as his eyes traced the faint ridges.

She tried to stand but found her legs would not move, she did not wish to be here she wished that none of this had happened. It was not they way she wished to meet her father, she looked at him as he studied her closely. She tried to speak and found that she had no words.

Finally he looked down.... he felt shame.. but not in way might expect. He was shamed because he had taken part in creating a half breed. He spoke lowly, "You have my mother's ridges..."

"And your temper" she looked at him seeing he could not even look at her as he spoke she tried to stand again this time she made it her tone was colder than she wished but she could not help it "I need to go to the security office and report this incident, they will want to know if you wish to press assault charges against me or not " she stood and waited for his answer her eyes never leaving him.

"No charges, the matter is settled." He merely said as he pulled himself up and tried to make it to his bed, he made it half way, but his knees gave out...

She walked over to him and offered her arm to him to pull himself up and steady him whilst he regained his balance......

He looked at the offered arm and then paid it no mind as he pulled himself back up and finished the trip.

"Do you have a message for my mother other than how much you detest the fact that you ever mated with her, or the fact that from your short union came a half-breed of your blood" Her tone had become even colder and her eyes were just as cold.

QaDghab grunted, "No. Nothing has changed."

"If you detest humans and half-breeds so much why did you choose to mate with a human in the first place, you must of known there was a chance that she would fall pregnant" her tone never changed

"I was younger... I was a fool." Is all he said as he laid down the hair falling back to show the mass of scars that used to be an ear.

Not for the first time she noticed his missing ear and the scars around his eye but he had made it clear he wanted nothing to do with her, she was less than nothing to him. "If you just wanted a whore you should of told her rather than break her heart when you would not accept that she could not just give up everything for you, she also had a life and a job to do if you had been more ready to wait for her you could of been together just a year later when her assignment ended. But then you would of been stuck with the shame of a half-breed child and that would never do would it". She did not wait to see if he answered she walked out of his quarters and back into her own.

QaDghab didn't allow himself to feel anything about what she said as he just turned on his side and closed his eyes to rest. He knew the batletH lay in the floor but was not to concerned about it.

Only once she was in her quarters with the door locked did she allow the pain from her injuries to show, as well as the pain of knowing her father was in the next room and that he thought her an abomination just for being alive. She walked into her bedroom fell onto the bed and lay there crying through anger and shame.

He looked at the pendent and dagger a moment, the memories of that time where faint enough that it was difficult for him to care anyways. Many things had happened since then. many things have come that changed him. He threw them across the room in anger and then lay and slipped into troubled sleep.

Once she had stopped crying she went and showered and cleaned herself up, she still had to go to sickbay and get her ribs mended, as well as report this to her boss. That was the part she was not looking forward to having to explain all of this. She dressed in a clean uniform the bleeding from her nose had stopped for now and her lip also had stopped bleeding, she put her comm badge onto her clean tunic and headed for sickbay............. a short time later she entered sick bay and walked up to the doctor, Hello doctor I am sorry to bother you but I seem to be in need of your services.

<tag: doc when he gets back>

JP
Ensign Sammy Jo Swan Assistant Chief Security/Tactical Officer USS Horizon

&

[KVok]

Off: What time is it now?

On:

Alright, K'Vok had the Federation console down and could now play with it without someone standing over his shoulder. First thing he wanted to do would be run diagnostics of the weapons, then shields, engines, and that menial Federation stuff, like science and replicators.

Off: Really short...lost about 4 posts due to the server being busy...

[Michael Lynch]

ON:


<<USS Horizon -- Sickbay>>

Lynch stood in the middle of sickbay scanning the room with a tricorder.Still no sign of the emh.He wipped a bit of sweat from his brow.and folded the tricorder back up.He jumped slightly when someone from behind said something.He turned quickly around and saw an injured crewman.

"I'm sorry for yelping like that.what happened to you?" Here come over to the biobed and have a seat."

Michael turned and walked to a rack of supplies and grabbed a med kit.

"So what happened...and don't tell me you walked into a door or something."
Michael said with a smile.


Sammy looked at him her face still a mask of anger. No I walked into a fist or two, I know i have at least two broken ribs as i felt them break other than that you'll have to tell me what that damage is.

Michael frowned and then picked up the hand scanner from the tray where he set the tools and began to run it up and down her body.

"Yes you do have a few broken ribs...aside from that it just looks like some minor cuts and bruises." michael folded up the tricorder and set the scanner down. "Who did this to you?And are they in the brig? I'll need you to remove your uniform jacket please."
Michael reached down and picked up a bone regenerator.

The matter is settled and his name does not matter and no he is not in the brig, standing she removed her jacket then sat back on the bio bed. You ask a lot of questions for a doctor that have nothing to do with the treatment needed, security is my problem and for now this perticular problem has been sorted. While i am here you might as well give me my medical it will save me coming back.

Michael forwned as he picked began to run the regenerator over her ribs knitting them back together.
"I am sorry if i seem to pry.I was just curious why or how you could have eneded up like this when it is obviously one of the crew that did it.But like you said that's your business not mine."

Michael set the regenerator down and picked up a dermal protoplaster. he slowly began to repair the scrapes and cuts on her face. "These are some nasty cuts and bruises.I trust i won't see you in her later for "round two" Will i?"

She looked at him then trying to calm her anger she spoke, "I am sorry Doctor I did not mean to be rude to you this situation is not your fault, I am sorry to say it is a matter of honor and I can not promise that I will not be back again. Nor can i promise you that next time I will not be sending you the other in a much worse condition if he dares to again insult me or my mother". She was not bothered by the fact he was healing her fully she was not one to worry about such things, she was not worried about minor scarring only the major ones caused by weaponry.

I feel you should be informed of my wishes when it comes to healing wounds ect.

If i have any serious open wounds then i have no objection to you closing them up but you are to leave enough of the wound to heal naturally to cause scarring, minor cuts such as these i am not bothered about as for broken bones or life saving treatment I have no problems with you doing what is needed.

michael frowned and set the dermal protoplaster down. "Well then i guess your done here" He held up a hypospray and plugged a vial of retox into it. "Just one quick hypo of something for your ribs and your done then."

Michael placed the hypo against her arm and injected her quickly."Please try and take it easy for the next few days.Those ribs will be tender for awhile.And no more rough stuff for at least a week." Michael said smiling. "You'll need time to let them full set."

"Thank you Doctor, I will endeavour to follow your suggestions" Sammy stood redressed and headed for the door.


OFF:
Joint Post by
Michael Lynch and Sammy Jo Swan

[QaDghab]

<Occures, after Swan's Medbay JP>


ON:

QaDghab left quarters on pained knees that had swollen some since the fight. His mind focused on getting a heavy drink to dull the pain and get his mind off of the recent news. He wasn't happy, learning that he had taken part in breeding a half-breed. As he moved he still counted softly under breath though at each new face he saw. Finally he wobbled into the Mess Hall and began a search for a good drink, snarling a bit at the synthehol he came across.

K'Vok walked into the Mess Hall, intent on finding food. He stopped short when he saw another person in Klingon armor. "lagh!" He called, wondering who this man was. The disturbance in the shuttle bay, of course, but... why were there two Exchange officers?

QaDghab didn't respond at first, having forgotten for moment that his rank was lagh and there could be no others that would be called that. Instead he continued his search, ignoring the bartender's protests as he looked behind the bar for some kind of real alcohol, having no patience to wait for the bartender to find it.

"lagh!" K'Vok bellowed, now closer, hitting the man's shoulder.

QaDghab straightened and turned quickly towards the man who dared to disturb him, "nuqneH!?" He snarled as his eye focused on the Klingon/Vulcan before him. For a moment his expression blanked as he muttered another number under his breath before returning to a crazed glare. The blind eye only twitching.

"What is a second Exchange officer doing on this vessel?"

"How should I know? My House sent me! What is it your business anyways!" He snarled as he turned back to his search for a drink, clearing off a few bottles, and accidentally smashing on that was on his blind side, as he reached in and pulled out a bottle as if it was a great prize.

K'Vok frowned, "This is most unusual..."

QaDghab muttered under his breath as he grabbed the bottle he wanted and then wobbled towards one of the corner tables, his knees clearly bothering him as the gray haired warrior settled into a seat and took a heavy drink. His eye went to K'Vok, studying him for moment.

"I am K'Vok ne, of the House of Cheng. Who are you?"

"QaDghab, of House Qortlh." He said as his blind eye twitched while his good eye blinked and continued it's crazed study of K'Vok and others in the room, more numbers muttered under breath as he saw new faces.

"Why are you...counting?" K'Vok cocked his head, "There is nothing interesting to count."

"Heads..." He merely muttered as he took a drink. "46 counted so far..." He said seeing another come in his eye snapped to the new arrival and another number was muttered before he looked back to K'Vok.

"Aha...any reason why?"

QaDghab just shrugged, "I have to." He took another drink feeling some of the pain in his knees fade with the numbness of alcohol.

"You have to?" K'Vok sat down, ordering a Bloodwine. It struck him as an odd compulsion. "What position do you hold?"

"Weap... Security..." He said with a low growl. He hated serving on this ship. Hated being around all the weak federation races. "Is that Vulcan or Romulan blood that runs threw your veins?" He said with a mild hint of disgust.

"Vulcan." K'Vok grunted in reply, "I am Klingon."

"You are a half-breed..." He said, his voice not hiding his feelings towards half-breeds.

"Yes, and you're a bigot, your point?"

"It is a pollutant of the blood. There was a time when warriors where strong and fierce... but now they pollute their blood with the weak..."

K'Vok grinned slightly, "You believe that Vulcans are weak?"

"Their skulls are thin, they die to easily." He snorted.

"And you prove this on what?"

"Seeing their brains splattered on the ground when 20 jemHadar burst their way in and take the lazy fools without a fight!" He snarled.

"Logical Vulcans?"

QaDghab snorted, "Stupid Vulcans. For a race that devotes itself to logic, where is the logic in denying what you are. In letting the enemy kill you." He scoffed.

"I am not logical, so your bigotry against me for being Vulcan is...flawed." K'Vok almost said illogical, but bit the word off.

Obviously, he said studying the Klingon/Vulcan with his eye. "If you where I doubt you would be standing here listening to me." He snorted.

K'Vok grunted, then pushed off the bar. He wasn't going to listen to the old fool.

QaDghab took a drink and closed his eyes a moment. A familiar voice speaking in the back of his mind... "53 heads..." he murmured in response. "There are 53 heads..." He seemed to drone it...

"Why count?"

"I have to..." QaDghab said at same time the voice was saying that that there was more. He looked around him. "There are no more... there are 53 heads." He said to the voice.

"You have to why?"

"I was told to..." He said as he rubbed his head, the voice arguing with him. "There are 53!" He snarled to himself.

"By whom?"

"Damok." He hissed, "Damned Cardassian... I killed him, but his spirit never left..." He growled. "He's annoys me at times..."

K'Vok laughed, "And the fool believes in ghosts..."

QaDghab snorted, "You don't hear him night and day asking for the number of heads there are. If don't tell him he keeps at it.. Though still have times like now, he won't believe me..." He muttered, rubbing his head. "Shut up!" He snarled at the voice.

"And you know this Cardassian how?"

"He took my eye and ear. In return I killed him and his family. He has been with me since... Even when he interrogated he had an odd humor... he wanted me to count heads... always counting heads..." He said as the voice finally quieted down some and he took a drink.

"A true Klingon warrior would not allow himself to become captive."

QaDghab snorted, "Who says I allowed it!? How do you fight a spirit?" He said angrily as he slammed the bottle down and started to stand.

"You must be captive to be interrogated."

QaDghab just shook his head, memories of the event flooding his mind. "When you wake up with bare skin, and cold metal pinning you to an electric fence... we will see how you will handle it. He growled as he got up to leave, only to find his knees, swollen to twice their size would not cooperate. He crashed onto a table.

K'Vok reached over, steadying the older man. "Come, sickbay."

"For what? I don't need to go to sickbay." He muttered, his good eye blinking while the blind eye only twitched. He wobbled on his legs and managed to stand, though it hurt to do so. However walking required bending the knees, which they didn't want to do. "Shut up Damok... yes I know I can't walk. No need to laugh..." He hissed to the voice.

"Because you're unable to walk...and you're talking to yourself, fool."

"I'm talking to Damok. And I would be able to walk if that half breed hadn't dislocated them in first place..." he muttered... counting another new arrival.

"Security terran half-breed?"

"Yeh... females.. always worse than males..." He sighed as he took a wobbling step and ended up falling against K’Vok.

K'Vok grabbed the older man and hit his combadge. "Two to beam to sickbay."

QaDghab growled lowly under his breath as the transporter took them. Having not transported in a long time the sensation left him slightly disoriented.

K'Vok pushed the man onto a biobed. "Sit. Stay." Then he walked off, growling under his breath.

QaDghab grumbled... "Like I really have a choice in the matter..." He said looking at his knees.

<Tag Doc>

JP
K'Vok ne'
Chief Operations Officer
USS Horizon
&

[Jackie Clawson]

OFF: Time to get this show on the road… Okay about two weeks after this post was started.. O.o and I know I'm jumping up ahead here, but we gotta get this show on the road... This is the launch sequence...

ON:
<<USS Horizon – Bridge >>

Jackie looked calm and collected and in control as she stepped onto the bridge, even though she didn’t really feel it all that much after she’s read the reports and got caught up with things that have happened on the Horizon whilst she was gone. There was still plenty of Task Force related matters for her to go through, but Jackie couldn’t stand any more PADDs for now, besides it was time for the Horizon to depart from StarBase Bravo.

She took a long look around the bridge watching every crew member at their station, pausing to look a bit too wistfully at the helm station up at the front before heading down to the command chair. Just as the final preparations for launch were taking place, she reviewed the incoming live reports from all over the ship through the console built into the command chair.

She’d felt better once she was on the bridge and away from all the PADDs she forced herself to read in order to catch up on what was going on; she needed all the caffeine she could get in order to keep herself from falling asleep during that period. Although the two hour catnap just before she stepped out on the bridge helped settle her mind a little.

She checked to make sure the base has cleared them for departure and everyone was aboard before allowing herself a small smile and nodding lightly to herself. SO far things were going smoothly.

“Let’s get this show on the road then…helm.. �? she said, her next command was cut short as the Caitian got a familiar gleam in her eyes. “actually… “ Jackie stood up, “ensign…�? she spoke, as she stood up from her command chair.

She didn’t have to say anything further; her sly smile said it all. The human helms officer gladly relieved his position and let the Admiral take over. Jackie settled in, throwing a glance at the console and checking the settings. She tapped in a few commands then threw a casual look at her bridge crew, slightly smiling at the reaction of some of the newer members of the crew. They’ll get used to it, she knew.

Her fingers flew over the controls as she executed the undocking procedure. Jackie smirked as her fingers danced across the controls as the ship responded to her commands. She could just see how the Intrepid drifted away from the base under her control.

Jackie truly felt at home behind the controls of the Horizon, she’s always felt a little out of place in he command chair, well not out of place, rather than she’s felt quote useless. She could barely stand sitting idly in the command chair as the bridge crew worked around her, she’d rather be doing some of the work herself not wishing to just giving the orders.

Jackie fiddled with the settings on the controls for a bit, then set the warp speed once the Horizon was a safe distance away from the base.

“Allright, lets see what’s out there�? Jackie remarked as the ship jumped into warp.


OFF: Okay, we’re off base, roaming around checking out what’s new around the sector and what's new on the ship.. :-D Muahahaha! Try not to kill eachother too much ;)

[Jackie Clawson]

ON:

<<USS Horizon – Bridge>>

Jackie sat at the helm controls, feeling rather serene and very satisfied with how things were going so far, despite the fact that she’d had K’Vok to deal with now not to mention another exchange officer from what she’s seen in the reports. And then of course there was the fact that some of the senior staff were a little… loopy, starting with her Executive Officer. And really, would a Rear Admiral flying the flagship of a Task Force look *that* bad in the midst of it all? Even if she *was* a Task Force CO as well?

She’s not even considered the fact that she’s been up and ‘on duty’ reading reports and getting thing sorted before the launch, for nearly two days, with just a few hours sleep before coming out to the bridge. But right now, Jackie shook off her worries and guided the ship away from StarBase Bravo taking them further into the depth of the Raeyan Sector. She didn’t want to leave the helm right now as she found her comfort zone right there.

Tauvits was still in his slightly scruffy civilian clothing as he sauntered out of the turbolift. A standard-issue thermos was in his hand, the ship's seal on the side of it, taking the occasional swig from its cup. On the whole, he looked somewhat disgruntled at the serene attitude of the bridge, pausing for a moment at the doorway of the turbolift to take in the scene. He inhaled deeply, feeling some of the scent of cleanliness of the room fill his nostrils, the smell bringing back memories which were probably best left dead. Still, he'd be spending enough time up here. He'd have to find some way of coping.

Falco smiled slightly humourlessly to himself as he took another swig from the thermos' cup-lid. Yep, the whiskey helped.

He ambled towards the centre of the bridge, and looked set to perch on the railing next to the big chair. Then, the lack of hubbub on the bridge obviously getting to him, he glanced over at Clawson, at the helm commands. "This seat taken?" he asked gruffly, gesturing to the Captain's chair.

“Nope….�? Jackie replied, “Feel free,�? she nodded lightly not taking her eyes or hands off the controls in front of her. “Just don’t spill anything on there�? she smirked to herself as her fingers nimbly danced over the controls without pause as she spoke.

"Would I waste good drink on such nice leather upholstery?" Tauvits smirked as he seated himself calmly in the big chair. There was a pause as he sighed; closing his eyes for just a moment, feeling just a fraction of the weight that automatically fell on the shoulders of anyone who sat in the chair. But it was a fraction of a weight which nevertheless set off twinges in his back, and he sat up to instead perch rather stiffly on the edge, pouring himself another drink. "Don't you have Helm officers where you come from? Or are they all shot?"

�?Heh, nope, not shot yet at least. We got helm officers. I just enjoy doing this from time to time.�? She replied, chuckling lightly. “They don’t seem to mind.�? She shrugged nonchalantly. “And this helps me relax.�?

"Of course they don't mind. They get a break, and it's a Rear Admiral telling them to do things." Tauvits took a sip of his drink lightly. "This is how you relax? You've been on duty for about forty-eight hours straight, doing paperwork and making this chair all soft and warm for me, and then you decide to relax by doing more work and sitting yourself down at a duty station to perform complicated duties of flying a starship?" He blinked at the back of her head, one eyebrow raised with obvious confusion.

“Yup�? Jackie replied, turning around briefly to award him with a sly smile. “What’s wrong with that?�? she asked, the smile turning into a smirk before she turned her attention back to the controls in front of her.

"Beyond the fact that it's a task which is physically and mentally rather tiring when done for extended periods of time, on top of physical and mentally tiring duties of the previous forty-eight hours as the ship's commanding officer..." Tauvits returned the smirk with his own lopsided twist as he replied, shaking his head slightly. "It also can't be the most fun way ever of winding down. I mean, you wind down from work with more work? What kind of a cruise ship is this?" His expression was one of mock-incredulity.

Jackie’s ears flickered lightly at his words.

“This isn’t really work to me…�? she replied, considering she could probably fly the ship in her sleep by now. “it’s.. well some people relax by going to the holodecks, I relax by flying something…or doing something useful.�? she shrugged lightly, “it gets my mind off of… other things�? she added.

"Doesn't sleep do that?" He drained the latest cup. "Besides, holodeck might be a break, but you couldn't play racquetball or sit in a Raymond Chandler holonovel all evening. Time comes when you've got to let your brain switch off, Admiral." Falco cocked his head to one side slightly, eyes on the back of her head.

“Sleep….?�? Jackie raised an eyebrow lightly even though he couldn’t see it. “I slept prior our departure�? she shrugged lightly, “what are you implying exactly…? “ she asked, throwing a casual glance at him.

"Maybe you should... just as an outside thought..." Falco gestured vaguely, leaning back in the chair at last and beginning to pour himself yet another tiny cupful of whiskey. "Perhaps you should... take a break, doing something that's not really going to tax body and mind? Ship'll still be here if you leave the bridge. Or your ready room."

“And drive myself insane because I’m not doing something?�? Jackie asked, fixing him with a slightly confused look, “that’ll just get me more wound up and stressed�? she remarked.

"Who said you wouldn't be doing something? Plenty of ways to relax which aren't necessarily all that tiring but still keep you perfectly occupied." Falco's expression was now turning to a subtle smirk, threatening to make way for a full-blowin self-satisfied grin at any moment.

“Such as….?�? Jackie asked, looking back at him, her eyebrows raised “can’t exactly bring the betleH tournament here….�?

"Well, we have enough fighters to host a small... no..." Tauvits shook his head, briefly distracted by a passing idea that he promptly dismissed. "Perhaps the notion of going down to your lounge to have a few drinks and unwind is either novel or dull to you, but I can guarantee that there aren't many better ways to relieve stress after a long stretch of duty-shifts."

“That depends…�? Jackie replied, “Wouldn’t want to drink all the bloodwine right off the bat�? she smirked.

"Bloodwine? Yeah, I've got some of that. But how about some 18 year-old Glenfiddich? Or just see what decent beers your bartender fellow has on tap or in stock down there? Plenty of fun to be had sampling, and I'll wager you haven't properly sampled what Mister Jefferson's got stored down there." Falco briefly raised his small cup of whiskey to her in a mix between an offering and a salute before he took a gulp.

“Heh…Was that an invitation, Mr Tauvits?�?Jackie smirked lightly, “I’ve not really been down to the lounge that much considering my lifestyle.�? She said.

"An invitation? Hell, I'd make it an order if I could. It's criminal, a CO not being familiar with their bar!" Tauvits stood up and finally ambled over towards the helm controls. "And, no offence, but you look like you could do with the wind-down," he continued, his voice quieter so it wouldn't be heard by other crewmembers on the bridge.

Jackie raised an eyebrow, “that’s how I always look!�? she protested with a low hiss, glancing up at him with a near glare.

"It's really not. Your tail's droopier for one. That might be a part of just sitting down, but I swear you can clock your energy levels by just how swishy your tail's feeling." Tauvits looked a little hapless at this explanation, and helped himself to another mouthful of whiskey to round it off.

Jackie slapped at her forehead lightly, “are you saying I need a break….rest….? “ she fixed him with a mild glare.

"I've been saying that since I got on the bridge, Admiral. You sure them fluffy little ears of yours are as sharp as most Caitians claim their hearing is?" It looked as if Falco had decided to just push through the anger, and he wore his most disarming smile even as he spoke.

“Mine seem to close up when they hear the words ‘rest’ and ‘break’ used in the same phrase�? Jackie flashed him a sly grin, a slight twinkle in her eyes for a brief moment.

"Alright. How about you and I just go for a drink down the lounge? We can talk business if that's what turns you on." The disarming smile turned light, innocent, as if there was no way he thought that anyone could find suggestion in his words.

Jackie blinked lightly, clearing her throat at his words. “that.. ah.. heh… not exactly what turns me on…�? she spoke, “but can’t pass up an opportunity to talk business I guess.�? Jackie smiled, “though depends on what you got in mind.�?

"Always could find a lady's soft spot," Tauvits muttered, more in a mockery of under his breath than anything, but the smile came back quickly. "Oh, you know... discuss political factions of the Raeyan Sector over a pint. In fact, I know this great drinking game about the CEOs of the Corporate Confederation over the last ten years..."

“I think you’d win any drinking game you get into�? Jackie replied, as she gestured for an ensign to take over the helm controls that she’s just relinquished. She fixed Tauvits with a slight stare, “especially those dealing with the Raeyan Sector.�? She noted lightly as she took a casual glance over the bridge.

"Well, I've had a head start. So my memory will be screwy. We could consider it an exercise in information recollection under the affect of adverse influences. Whiskey?" He offered her the half-empty small thermos cup.

Jackie blinked lightly, “Ehrm… “ she sniffed lightly at the drink, then took another look around the bridge, “don’t think it’s wise for me to indulge in.. drinks on duty….�? She spoke.

Tauvits raised an eyebrow at her. "Alright." He stepped over to the turbolift, hit the button next to the door, and stepped inside when the door slid open. Falco raised the cup again, gesturing for her to follow. "Now do you want a drink?" A smirk tugged lightly at his lips.

Jackie threw a last look along the bridge before stepping into the turbolift, still somewhat unsure.

“Whiskey..? Earth thing, isn’t it?�? she nodded lightly at the cup in his hand not quite sure if she should take it or not.

“Yep." He extended it towards her. "From the old nation-state known as Scotland - or, at least, the best stuff is. My family spent a lot of time fighting off Scottish invaders, so we hoarded up an awful lot of their booze." Falco's smirk extended more as the doors slid shut behind them.

She took the cup, still somewhat unsure, “your family ? ‘s where you get the…taste for this stuff I take it?�? she asked, glancing at the cup in her hand. She held her breath then downed the contents in a single gulp; then blinked rapidly as she tasted it. “wh..well it’s not.. coffee..�? she cleared her throat lightly shaking her head, “or bloodwine…�? she added looking curiously at the empty cup.

Falco laughed, but not unkindly. "Yeah, it's got its own special kick. And no, that's not from any family storing. I just picked that up on Serenity Base. It's pretty decent stuff, though. It'll put hair on your chest, that's for sure." He winked at her.

Jackie chuckled, “like I need more hair.�? She smirked sideways at him. “just what did you bring aboard here from Serenity Base exactly?�? she asked, slightly wincing at the aftertaste of the drink

Not much. Just clothes, various knick-knacks... a betleH... a rapier... a case of bottles of the Glenfiddich..." Tauvits looked at the ceiling innocently.

Jackie blinked. “Glenfiddich….�? She cocked her head to the side, “you mean this…?�? she nodded at the empty cup in her hand. “have you checked out the Lounge to see what Jefferson’s got?�?

"I've dropped by, but I just sampled some of his beer. You got some decent stuff on tap, you know that? Real good microbrewery stuff." Falco gave her an evaluating look for a few moments, expression puzzled. "You really do need to relax. You're looking... hellish tense."

“Not been one for… drinking…�? Jackie blinked lightly, “how do you know if I’m tense or not….?�? She asked, slightly miffed at his comment. “I’m always like that….�?

"Tail, again. And, well, just general body language. Those pips on your collar will instil you with a magic ability to be able to read people when you need to." Falco went to pour a little more whiskey, but only came up with a trickle. "Damn. That'll need refilling. And everyone kept on thinking it was just tea..."

Jackie smirked, “since when are you an expert on Caitian body language?�? she asked quite curious; slightly amused at his reaction when the thermos didn’t have anything more to pour. “Lounge’s just up ahead�? she gestured her arm in that direction.

"Not an expert. I've just served with a few over the years. Well. My bunkmate at the Academy was a Caitian. If there's ever a way to learn if someone's irritated, it's to bunk with them for four years..." Tauvits glanced up to the lounge doors. "Ah, excellent. Yep, I knew it was a good idea to get quarters on the same deck!"

“That must’ve been fun�? Jackie smiled, “I generally come up with a good idea here and there�? she said, following him inside the lounge half wondering if coming up to the lounge was such a good idea.

OFF:
to be continued ^

Joint Post between
Falco Tauvits, mission advisor (but just what IS his mission? ;) )
and Jackie Clawson

[Grenn]

<<USS Horizon – Bridge>>

J'al had reported for his shift pretty much as Jackie found her way off the bridge. Seeing nobody around, he double checked, then spoke. "Guess that means I have the bridge." he said with a smirk.

He went to work at his console, then after a moment of that, he walked around, looking down at the Captain's chair. Nothing but Ensigns on the bridge, so it made sense. He looked around again, a little bit unsure, but confident.

As he sat down in the vacent seat, he noted it was set up to allow for a tail to comfortably sit there. Something he didn't have to worry about, but it was nice nonetheless.

Grinning to himself for a moment, he pulled up the text message system and typed a note to deliver to Jackie's desk computer. He still hadnt gotten to show her the new toy, but didn't want to be pushy about it.

------
RADM Clawson:

If you have a half hour free, please give me a comm chirp, and meet me in the Main Shuttlebay. Hold Alpha 3. I need your opinion on something, but its not urgent.

Lt. Grenn
----

He sent it off and switched the screen back to standard, leaning back and enjoying his short lived stay in the Captain's chair.

OFF: :D Heh heh. I just had to. You did kinda abandon it without leaving someone in charge ;)

[KVok]

K'Vok stood on the bridge, his shoulders tense as he held back a growl. That blue civilian was playing in very dangerous territory, if anyone was going to get the kitty, he would, no one else. Still, he didn't know how to start, how to approach this delicate issue.

Should he go and talk to her? Perhaps try courting in a non-Klingon manner? She didn't seem to be interested in him, though, so he had to figure out how to pique her interest in him. Maybe he should study Caitian dating...

[Alaia Dara]

ON:

<<USS Horizon -Counselor's Office>>

Alaia Dara scrolled through the crew manifest once more, making notes beside some of the names as she went. She'd studied the files of the command crew back when getting the assignment, but there was very little psychological information included in most of them. For one thing, it seemed that Admiral Clawson was highly averse to any type of medical treatment and had all but refused to undergo more than a cursory exam in years. There were some files from mandantory testing back in the Academy, but not much since then. Still, the list of commendations was impressive.

The trill sat back on her chair and tapped her stylus idly on the desk. The rest of the senior staff had gone through their physicals regularly and there were no outstanding psych issues that she could see, just the usual mix of high ambition, high risk-taking, high tension, and low tolerance for mistakes, especially in themselves. Well, it took a certain type of personality to qualify for command. In the civillian world, they'd probably be considered obsessive.

She'd want to interview all of them eventually, of course. It was her first assignment to a ship, but the counselor had to know everyone, that much she knew.

"Computer, bring up the files of the two exchange officers, please."

Alaia leaned forward to study the screen. The exchange program was a good idea, and she knew the ideals behind it were sound, but a sudden change in culture and environment would be hard for anyone, especially a Klingon. This was as good a place to start as any. She was no stranger to challenges, and it would be quite a challenge to get either of these officers to talk to her. Still, she hadn't come this far to be stuck away in the Counselor's Office, a useless accessory. Starfleet had seen fit to give the crew a counselor, and they were getting one whether they liked it or not.

"Computer, what is the location of Exchange Officer QaDghab?"

"Officer QaDghab is on Deck 2."

Probably going to the lounge. Well, that was as good a place as she was likely to get. Alaia got to her feet and unconsciously straightened her uniform. Grabbing a PADD so she'd have important background information handy, she strode out of the office and down toward the nearest turbolift. Nothing like jumping in feet first.

OFF: Tag QaDghab or anyone else in the lounge.

[Sammy Jo Swan]

Sammy left sickbay and headed for the bridge it was almost time for her shift and being there a few moment early would not be a bad thing, she was still a bit battered and bruised looking but there was nothing to be done about that now.

Her ribs still hurt but it was nothing that she could not deal with, walking on to the bridge she looked around for the most senior officer. She looked over at the Captains chair and saw the Chief Inteligence Officer sitting there she walked over to him and snapped top attention and saluted "Ensign Swan reporting for duty Sir"

Off: Tag

[QaDghab]

QaDghab was once more digging for a good drink, muttering to himself and ignoring complaints. However this time he didn't have to do as much as he was quickly handed what he wanted. He grabbed the drink and turned in time to run into what appeared to be a Human female. "Move." He said rudely as he pushed past to take a seat, unaware that she was here to see him...

<Tag>

[Alaia Dara]

ON:
Alaia spun backwards as the Klingon pushed past her. She was small and though she was sure he didn't mean it, he'd nearly knocked her off her feet. She dropped the PADD and caught a table to stop herself falling.

"Whew," she breathed in relief and stooped to get the fallen PADD.

She reflected on what she knew about Klingons and how best to get their respect. She couldn't very well beat him into submission, he towered over her. Well, maybe she could get it in another way. She strode over to his table and slammed the PADD down roughly.

"Do you always treat people that way, or is that behaviour reserved for senior staff?"

First thing he did was count, adding her onto the number he had already come up with since waking that morning. He then addressed the question... "Why is it your business Human. Let an old man drink without glob flies buzzing around." He sneered, basically referring to Federation officers as bugs that buzz around annoyingly.

He took a heavy seat in a chair at the table and took his first drink. Muttering to himself as he told Damok to be silent again.

"Human? Are both your eyes blind, or are you really that ignorant of the galaxy?" She pitched her voice low, almost a growl. "In case you didn't notice, I'm a Trill, and I'm also one of the few people on the ship who can declare you unfit for duty. Perhaps you should rethink your approach."

She saw that he was agitated by something, he was muttering to himself, and she picked the PADD up so she could slam it down again, wincing internally as it hit the table.

"Unless you want to be just another useless old fool, pay attention!"

He finally looked at her, his eye studying her closely. He saw the spots as well as her other features. He took a drink and waved to the seat across the table.

"What do you want?" He gave the Klingon Greeting, which was also a question.

Alaia sat down and leaned forward onto the table, resting her elbows there.

"I want two things. First, you need to know who I am. I'm Lieutenant Dara, and I'm the Ship Counselor. I know Klingons don't believe in counseling, but you're on a Starfleet ship now, and we do. Second, If you have a problem with another crew member, you come to me, got it? We don't condone fighting, especially while on duty. If you ignore the rules, I'll have to consider you unfit for duty.

"There are acceptable ways to resolve a conflict, and I'm happy to help you construct a Holodeck program that will suit your needs. Now, do you have any questions?"

"I will defend myself, whether you condone fighting or not. I am Klingon, and I will not let you soft bellies change that. My conflict with another is personal and will not be shared out to the crew like Ferengi wine..."

His eye caught on someone arriving in the room and he muttered another number in Klingon and heard Damok arguing again, but he ignored it for moment.

Alaia ignored the verbal challenge for the moment. She'd warned him and the first time he slipped up she would follow through with consequences, so arguing the point would be counter productive. Instead she sat back and steepled her fingers.

"Tell me, why is it you feel you must count the people you encounter? Are you afraid of being outnumbered?"

He gritted his teeth.

"Why do you feel it necessary to nose into other's business?"

He snarled slightly.

"I fear nothing," he said bitterly while hearing Damok in his mind saying, 'Except eternity with me' followed by one of the Cardassians laughs. QaDghab closed his eyes a moment tightly as he told the voice to shut up and took a drink.

She smiled at him.

"Actually, I butt in because it's my job, and a man who tells himself to shut up is certainly dealing with something, be it fear or an enemy that strikes from within. Sometimes our greatest enemy is our own selves."

QaDghab growled angrily, "I don't need you butting into my business! My enemy is the damned bastard that took my eye, my ear, and these!"

He held up his hand that had half of two fingers missing.

He was angry and snapped at the voice again before realized he was saying it out loud.

"Enough laughing Damok!"

He trailed off realizing she had heard that, and got up to leave.

Alaia jumped up after him. He was halfway across the room by the time she caught up.

"Whoever Damok is, if you want him gone, I can help. I'm not your enemy, and I would be your ally, if you'd let me," she said in a soft tone.

QaDghab paused, studying her a moment.

"Unless you can kill the dead, you can't rid me of Damok. You may be my ally, but the only trusted one is a Klingon," he said drinking a deep drink and feeling it hit his system... actually having a calming effect.

She stepped out of his way and nodded her understanding. His acknowledgement was something, more than she'd expected really.

"I've never tried to kill the dead. Perhaps it's possible, but whatever you've tried so far doesn't seem to have worked. Just remember my offer. I'm sure we'll see each other again."

The Trill flashed him a small smile and turned to survey the lounge. She still had a lot of work to do, but she couldn't help people if they didn't trust her. Well, the best way to gain trust was to make friends. She made her way to the bar and took a seat.

QaDghab sighed and instead of leaving found a corner table to sit at and finish his drink. Now that she left him alone he didn't mind being here. He drank and counted heads. The voice ever constant in the back of his mind, taunting him and demanding the number of heads he had counted. He hated that Cardassian. He really did.

OFF:Joint post QaDghab and Alaia Dara.

Anyone who wants to, please talk to Alaia.

[Grenn]

<<USS Horizon - Bridge>>

J'al looked up to see the Ensign standing in front of him. He raised an eyebrow slightly, or what could be called an eyebrow. The part of his face above his eye at least.

"Ensign Swan. S982-002-3429-C." he said, referencing her Starfleet Service Number. After all, information was his business. "Go ahead and grab Tactical." he said, noting her bruises without really drawing attention to the fact.

As she took her station, he looked at his display about ships status. Noting nothing, he stood up and took a look around the bridge. He hadn't really had much time to do that, despite being here a while. Then again, he was rarely if ever the senior-most officer on the bridge.

For a moment, he looked at the Helm controls, and the Ensign manning them. He really wanted to try and fly a starship. He knew how to pilot a fighter with precision thanks to his old job, but a ship was a whole differant animal. That was something he needed to discuss with the Captain too. If there was any way to get himself certified in starship flight, and get a transfer to the Horizon's Flight Control Department. They still needed a solid Department Head for that particular one.

Shaking that off, he sat down in the comfortable chair again, looking at the viewscreen. Somehow, the bridge looked nicer from here.

[Robert Barnes]

ON
<<U.S.S. Horizon - Main Engineering>>

Robert watched the warp core throb with energy. The launch had gone smoothly and everything had responded when the Bridge asked for warp speed. Of course, working the last 36 hours straight fine-tuning and ironing out bugs helped. Robert leaned on the console in front of him, checking a few numbers and comparing them to the PADD in his hand. Everything seemed in order, so he turned...

...and nearly knocked over his Assistant. "Ensign...Ensign..."

"Amanda Gregory, chief."

"Right, Ensign. May I call you Amanda?" She nodded. "Amanda, you're in charge. I'm going to get something to eat." He handed her the PADD and left Engineering.

Ensign Gregory waved over Petty Officer Freals and Crewmen Newman and Calvers, "Has the boss taken a break? He looked a little haggard..."

Freals shook his head "No, sir. I came on at 0800, and Petty Officer West said that the Chief was here all night."

Newman, a slim dark-haired Asian woman, chimed in "Yeah. I got the same story. Scuttlebutt is that the Chief has worked more doubles in the last week than most of us pull in a month."

Ensign Gregory tapped the underside of the PADD with her fingers. "Guys, we never had this conversation. Understood?"

The three engineers nodded and returned to their stations. Ensign Gregory retreated to the chief's office, making notes on the PADD.

<<U.S.S. Horizon - Jefferson's Rest>>

Robert walked into the crew lounge, nodding to a couple of off-duty members of his staff. He headed for the bar and took a seat next to a slim Trill that he didn't recognize. He waved over the bartender, "An order of Bajoran hasperat and a glass of kava juice, please."

He nodded to the Trill woman. "I don't think we've met. I'm Lt. Robert Barnes, Chief Engineer."
OFF

[Sammy Jo Swan]

"Yes Sir" Sammy turned and walked over to the tactical station she imediately started to run diagnostic checks on everything. Her mind wondered back to the fight and the conversation that followed it, she had told QaDghab that she would be reporting the Incedent but whilst in sickbay she had thought better of it . The whole thing had started with her being concerned for a fellow member of crew and had ended up in a fight, followed by one of the biggest shocks she had ever had even though she had not shown him exactly how it effected her. After all these years she had met her father only to find he was nothing more than an ageing warrior that hated her.

She was brought back to the here and now by the beeping of the console telling her that there was a problem with the phasers. Reading the error report she quickly made the adjustments that were needed and re-ran the diagnostic on them to make sure that there was nothing else wrong. This done she continued to run basic tests and also did some checks on the security training records, making notes of the sections each member of the section needed training in she started to plan a training session which she would talk to Kao about implimenting as soon as possible.

[Alaia Dara]

ON:

<<USS Horizon - Jefferson's Rest>>

Alaia turned to look at the Terran who'd taken the seat beside her. She smiled as she took in his dark features and obvious exhaustion.

"It's nice to meet you, Lt. Barnes, I'm Alaia Dara, Ship Counselor." She laughed when she saw his expression. "Don't worry, I'm not going to analyze you over dinner."

Robert quirked an eyebrow, "Oh? That's a relief. My last assignment, the counselors would take any opportunity to try. We once threw one out of our poker game because he wouldn't stop trying to analyze us."

Robert's meal arrived just then. He picked up the hasperat and took a bite. It wasn't as spicy as the stuff he used to get at the Bajoran restaurant in Seattle, but it woke him up a little.

"Where are my manners? Would you like something to drink?"

"You're having kava juice? That sounds good to me, too, thanks. It's been a while since I had something from a little closer to home. It's impossible to find good Trill food anywhere, possibly because Trill doesn't have any good food to begin with," she said, just the slightest touch of irony in her voice.

"Where was this last assignment with the counselors who didn't know how to be off-duty? I've been at Medical my whole career, and we have to leave it at the office or else resign ourselves to a life without friends."

Robert signaled the bartender to bring over another glass of juice. "Before here, I was Assistant Chief over on the Columbia. Galaxy-class, a thousand people. The senior counselor was very hands-off when it came to the junior officers, so he left most of the crew to his staff. They, however, didn't have any concept of boundaries. My old boss, Commander Pavlick, used to gripe about it all the time to me."

"This is such a small ship in comparison, I hope to be able to get to know everyone personally. There's only so much one can learn from reading manifests and files after all," Alaia replied.

She smiled at the bartender when her juice arrived and sipped at it before setting it down.

"So this is your first assignment as a Chief? Are you as intimidated as I am about serving under an Admiral? I knew quite a few at the Academy, but this is different."

Robert finished his hasperat while he mulled the question, "I don't know. I think it won't be much different in terms of the day-to-day. It'll probably change the types of assignments we get, but for now I'd say we just treat it like any other billet."

"So, this is your first deep-space posting. How do you like it so far? I know some folks need time to get used to things like the vibration of the deck plates while we're at warp."

"My only trouble so far is getting used to keeping track of time by shifts instead of day and night. I had this trouble when I first traveled to Earth, too. You don't really think about it when you're planetside, but it's kind of a tough adjustment going from diurnal to ship time."

She took another sip of her juice and smiled brightly at him. "You look as though you could use a good night's sleep yourself. It's paid off, though, she's a very smooth ship."

Robert leaned back a little. "Well, it has been a rough couple of days. I just don't want the Admiral's first impression of her Chief Engineer to be him explaining why the ship stalled when she asked for warp speed."

Swallowing the last dregs of juice from his glass, he set it back on the bar. "I like being on something smaller than Columbia, even if she isn't as powerful. Every ship is special in her own way. You just have to find it."

He smiled at Dara. "So, Lieutenant, why the Horizon? I'm sure you could have had your pick of any assignment in the fleet."

Alaia blushed slightly at the compliment and took a long drink to cover her embarrassment. When she set the glass down again it was nearly empty.

"That's nice of you to say, Lieutenant Barnes, I hope others will think so highly of my abilities. To be honest there were a lot of reasons for my decision. The first was that even though I loved the research I was doing, I didn't join Starfleet just to sit on Earth. I wanted to be out where people were really in need. My primary responsibility is to the crew of course, but it's a little exciting to be away from the very civilized grounds of Starfleet Medical."

She sat back on her stool and studied her hands a moment before looking at him again, a sort of faraway look in her eyes.

"Out here the traumas are real, the dangers very immediate, and that means the good I can do is that much greater. Of course, failing means I fail rather spectacularly, but it's better to go down in flames, I suppose," she chuckled wryly. "Maybe it's the rebel in me coming out after all these years, or maybe I just wanted to be the Senior Counselor and not have to answer to anyone else."

She caught his eye and smiled slightly, "Are you sure you're not a counselor in disguise? I don't normally pour my soul out over juice."

He signaled the bartender for a couple more glasses of juice, "Nah, just curious. From what I read most Intrepid-class don't even carry counselors because the crews are so small. I just figured that you'd have wanted something...I don't know...bigger. Like a Luna or an Ambassador-class. They get all the first contact missions, or so I've been told."

He wagged his finger, "And none of that 'Lieutenant Barnes' stuff. My crew calls me 'Chief' or 'Boss'. But since I'm not your chief or your boss, you can call me Robert."

"Alright, Robert, then please call me Alaia," she paused to consider her answer, tapping her fingers unconsciously on the bar as she did so.

"I suppose because first contact is all well and good, but the real meat of a problem comes when you've known someone for a while. I'm not a diplomat, though the process is fascinating. Do you know what limmerance is?"

She waited for him to shake his head and continued.

"It's the state of infatuation that comes soon after people meet. The same is true of cultures. Even when first contact is handled perfectly, it's because we make compromises as cultures to get along. Sometimes those relationships are able to grow past limmerance into something deeper, something like the Federation, and sometimes it causes friction when the limmerance disappears and we're left with a growing awareness of the differences that are so hard to reconcile. The Horizon is part of the mission to make those relationships really work, the ones that are no longer relying on infatuation to keep them going.

"Of course, I'm also one of those people who believe that small groups need a counselor even more than large groups do. When you have fewer people the social choices are slimmer and the rumour mill is a lot faster. No ship would imagine leaving dock without a medical officer. Well, I think mental health is just as important."

Robert sipped on his fresh glass of juice, "That's a good point. I guess I never really thought of it like that. I had a couple friends who served on ships smaller than this one, and they didn't have a counselor aboard. They told me the CMO had to pull double-duty as doctor and counselor. Rough business."

Robert glanced out at the warp-distorted starfield. "But now this is what I signed up for. When I graduated the Academy, the Dominion War was going full-tilt. They commissioned us three months early to refill the decimated officer corps. I figured I'd get a front-line assignment, but instead they stuck me at Starbase 1 on a repair detail. I must've filed half a dozen transfer requests to get on a ship, but they were all denied. It took three years before I got rotated out to Columbia. By then, most of my classmates were Lieutenants and Lieutenant Commanders. But I was still an Ensign. I know it shouldn't matter, especially since so many of my classmates never came back, but sometimes I wonder if my career got derailed before it even started."

"I suppose you could think of it that way. It might also be that they needed someone dependable close to home. Starbase One is vital, and even if it seemed like a dead end at the time, you must have been pretty trustworthy for them to want so badly to keep you there. And it certainly gave you the background to shoot into a position on the senior staff.”

She leaned forward on the bar and saw that his eyes were swimming a bit with tiredness. She chuckled and patted his hand.

"It all depends on how you look at it, and right now it looks like you might be seeing double. Shall we continue this conversation some time when you're not quite so tired?"

Robert opened his mouth to reply, but yawned instead. "I think you're right. I don't usually talk about this stuff."

He tapped his combadge, "Barnes to Engineering."

"Gregory here."

"Amanda, I'm going to take the rest of the shift off. You're in charge until the shift change."

"Yes, chief."

Finishing his juice in one gulp, Robert got up from the bar. "Nice to meet you, Alaia."

And with a quick smile, Robert left the lounge.

Alaia watched him for a moment and then finished her own juice.

'Nice guy,' she thought to herself. 'I hope he slows down before he kills himself.'

She made a note to herself to keep an eye on Lieutenant Barnes...Robert...for other signs of exhaustion. A man with that much to prove would work himself away to nothing just to be sure he wasn't passed by again. A few taps on her PADD brought up the name and history of the other exchange officer, but he was on duty, so she'd have to wait for that meeting. Anyway, she'd have to make notes on her conversation with QaDghab while it was still fresh in her memory.

Her hip twinged a bit when she got up, there was going to be a bruise there from smacking into the table earlier. Ah well, a little bruise wasn't worth bothering sick bay about. She left the lounge and set out again for her office and the report. She wasn't planning to put it in his file, but it was good to have for later reference.

'I really have my work cut out for me," she mused.

OFF: Joint post, Robert Barnes and Alaia Dara. Watch out KVok, she's coming after you next. ;)

[QaDghab]

QaDghab left the lounge, slightly intoxicated, the voice in his mind having quieted down some. He had no idea what time it realy was, but he headed for the bridge, of not for duty, then to least see it.

He arrived moments later and only glanced at Swan before looking at the other crew, counting softly underbreath as he saw new heads he had not counted, at least today. He moved around the bridge looking... eyeing K'Vok with a nod as he finaly went to the tactical station where Swan was and studied it with his eyes, memorizing where each control was and what they did.

<Tag, any one bridge> :D

[Robert Barnes]

ON

<U.S.S. Horizon - Robert Barnes' Quarters>>

Robert stifled another yawn as he crossed the threshold into his quarters. He looked around at the containers that contained his personal belongings. Gonna have to unpack sooner or later.

"Computer, play Torroba's 'Nocturno'. Three-quarter's volume."

As the strains of a Spanish guitar filled the room, Robert went about his usual routine of winding down. He pulled off his combadge and set it on the desk, tossed his uniform in the 'fresher for cleaning and pulled on his old Starfleet Academy sweats.

Laying on top of the covers, Robert paused. You're going to do fine. Stop thinking that you've dead-ended. It was war, for cryin' out loud.

"Computer, end music. Lights to ten percent."

<<U.S.S. Horizon - Chief Engineer's Office>>

Ensign Amanda Gregory sat at the desk, drumming her fingers on the top. She had just pulled up the duty logs, and commed the third-shift people who were off-duty. She didn't call anyone on second shift because this was their sleep cycle, but she got a pretty clear indication of what was going on.

She liked her boss. He was efficient, calm and knew how to keep the staff from being wound too tight. After what happened before the Horizon got to Starbase Bravo, that was what this staff needed.

But at the same time, Amanda didn't want to become Chief Engineer because her superior dropped dead from overwork. She ran a hand through her chestnut hair, then steeled herself for what she was about to do.

She blanked the computer terminal's screen and called up the general crew manifest. Finding the name she wanted, she punched up the intraship message system.

Lt. Dara,

I am contacting you because I am concerned about Lt. Robert Barnes, the Chief Engineer and my superior officer. Normally, I would talk to him myself but I fear he may dismiss my concerns.

It has come to my attention that Lt. Barnes has worked an abnormal number of double-shifts in the last week. This would not be cause for concern if the ship had not just spent a substantial time in dock.

The Chief Engineer's job is to keep the ship running smoothly. My job is to make sure the Chief doesn't forget to keep himself running smoothly. I don't think at the moment his work is sub-standard, but I fear that at his current pace it may become so.

Ensign Amanda Gregory, Assistant Chief Engineer

Pressing the "transmit" command, Amanda got up and headed for the door. "What's done is done..." she muttered as she stepped back into Main Engineering.

OFF

[Alaia Dara]

ON:

<<U.S.S. Horizon - Counselor's Office>>

Just as she was finishing up the last details of her report of contact with the Klingon, Lt. Dara got an incoming message. She was surprised when she saw that it was from a crew member she'd never met, but not too surprised by the content.

'It seems Robert has been working himself a little too hard, guess it's up to me to help him relax," she thought, smiling to herself. It was good to know she really was needed, even on a small ship like this one. In spite of what she'd said to Lt. Barnes she wasn't so confident that a small crew would welcome her interference. Still, it was up to her to try.

She stood up and stretched. There was nothing she could do about the situation in Engineering until she was sure Robert had caught up a bit on his sleep. The shift would be over soon, however, and it might be possible to catch the second exchange officer, KVok if she met him on the bridge as he came off duty. She'd noticed the Admiral in the lounge and wondered who was minding the ship. Yes, a trip to the bridge was definitely in order.

Picking up the ubiquitous PADD, she headed for the turbolift and the bridge.

OFF

[Sammy Jo Swan]

Swan noticed QaDghab enter the bridge and scowled she did not need this he was not due for duty for a while yet he had the next shift. When he came over to stand by her and study the station she stiffend but ignored him, if he had anything to say then fine but otherwise she was just gonna continue with her work as if he was not there.

[QaDghab]

QaDghab studied the station until he was sure he knew what each was and then seeing something that needed to be fixed in cooridinants he reached past Swan, bumping her slightly as he hit several keys on the consel.

[Sammy Jo Swan]

Sammy ignored the fact that he had pushed her but he should not be touching anything as he was not on shift.

"What do you think you are doing, I am quiet capable of doing my own job I do not need you to do it for me. You should not even be here you are not on duty until the next shift" Sniffing him she turned her nose up in disgust "This is not a Klingon vessel on a federation vessel it is not acceptable to be on duty smelling of alcohol, I suggest you go and clean yourself up and sober up at the same time" She turned away from him and checked what he had just done. It seemed ok so she left it alone but was not happy that he had interfered.

[QaDghab]

QaDghab paid her no mind, stepping in again and started reconfiguring the tactical controls for better accuracy. He had worked with federation equipment before, and that was obvious as he knew what he was doing with it. However his focus was of Klingon nature, and that meant increasing defensive and offensive abilities. He cared little about any of the other stuff.

[Sammy Jo Swan]

She stared at him and then growled "QaDghab lagh I am ordering you off this bridge until your duty shift begins, until that time you have no right or need to be here. Now leave and do not think that I have not noticed your continued insults to me, but that is a matter i will take up with you when we are both off duty. NOW GET OFF THIS BRIDGE.

[QaDghab]

QaDghab snarled, "I do not recognize your position as supperior, 'Ensign'. I am not finished, the settings are off." He mearly said as he tapped a few keys, and then stepped back to head out. Once more bumping her on his blind side.

[Sammy Jo Swan]

She was fuming if her boss had actually done his job and informed QaDghab of the way things worked on a federation vessel then she might not be having quiet so many problems with him, of course the fact that she was a halfbreed did not sit well with him and to make matters worse he was to his eternal shame her father. If he continued with this course of action it would end up badly for one if not both of them, she dreaded what would happen if they were arguing or even fighting and she lost control of her temper. He might be a Klingon but he was old and not as strong as he had once been as she had already proved in thier earlier fight.

She looked at the things he had changed on the weapons settings and started to change them back this was not a Klingon vessel and they were not at war. She had all the settings back to what they should be whilst she concidered her next course of action.

[Grenn]

<USS Horizon-Bridge>

J'al watched the exchange for a moment, choosing to allow Ensign Swan to try and diffuse it. Perhaps if she could, he would recognize her authority, instead of her having to go to whoever was in command of the bridge for support.

He stapped forward after the Klingon had left the bridge.

"You better do something about that." he said with a small grin as he leaned on his console. "You more then anyone save K'Vok should know how important it is that a Klingon subordinate respects you and more importantly, the authority you hold."

OFF: :)

[Sammy Jo Swan]

She looked at the officer as he spoke trying to decide if he was serious or if he was also insulting her inteligence, she decided he was serious."There are two main problems with QaDghab one is before he came here he was the equivelent of a LT and does not like taking orders from one of lower rank as he see's it, the other is I am a half breed and there is not many things he holds in such low disreguard as halfbreeds especialy one's like myself that are half human. Any other reasons we have to hate each other are personal and it seems as though he did not learn from our earlier encounter how much I dislike being insulted so it seems that I will have to show him again."

[Grenn]

<Horizon - Bridge>

J'al chuckeled to himself a little before replying.

"I'm quite sure you can handle it, just be sure not to do it on the bridge." he said with a slight laugh. "I get maybe two bridge watches a month, and don't need it happening when it's mine."

He stood up from leaning, and looked around again. "Although.... this one kind of happened by default. Oh well. I guess it's just the few of us." he said, motioning around with a smile before heading back to the big chair.

As he did, he heard the turbolift open, and saw their new Counselor walk onto the bridge.

"Lieutenant Dara." he said, turning around before he sat. "So nice to finally meet you. And on the bridge nonetheless." he said, extending his hand after he rounded the rail on the step up. I'm sure you've reviewed all our medical profiles, so I assume you know all of us?" he asked with a slight hint of amusement. Maybe running a bridge shift was getting to his head?

OFF: :)

[Alaia Dara]

ON:

<<Horizon - Bridge>>

Alaia took the proffered hand and shook it, smiling.

"I know enough to recognise you as J'al Grenn. It's nice to meet you as well."

She took a look around the bridge, it was her first time on an Intrepid-class ship and she liked the layout.

"And I recognise a few others, but it will a little longer for me to be able to remember everyone's name," she stepped down as she talked, into the command area. "I wasn't sure who would be in command. I noticed the Admiral in the lounge, but we seem to be in capable hands."

She swept the room again with her eyes and they paused a moment on Ensign Swan and on K'Vok. It was unusual to see two half-Klingons serving on the same ship, they were pretty rare. She turned her attention back to Grenn with a serious look.

"I was hoping to speak to the Ops officer as soon as his shift ends. I'd appreciate it if you'd send him to my office when you can spare him. Is everything alright here?"

OFF

[Grenn]

<<Horizon - Bridge>>

"Oh, everything is fine. I think we can spare him in a few hours. I'll tell him to report to you." J'al said, seeing K'Vok at his console doing whatever work he needed to do.

"Need anybody else at the moment? We're not doing much else."

OFF :P

[Taylor]

ON

<< Some Jefferies Tube – USS Horizon >>

“Oh god, oh god” muttered Toby below his breath, he was lost in the Horizon’s Jefferies tube system several time he had almost worked up the courage to drop out in to a corridor and find his bearing’s only to have memories of exactly how the Captain had looked at him.

“Oh god, oh god, oh god, oh god” he kept repeating the words every few meters as he moved along down random paths paying no attention to his destination Toby crawled on.

As he put his hand down he didn’t notice the opening before him, nor did he realise it wasn’t quite closed properly as he placed his weight on it the hatch gave way and opened up sending Toby flying through the air in to the room below.

<< Admiral’s Ready Room >>

“Oh crap!” Toby exclaimed, unlike most people would expect he wasn’t exclaiming because of his fall, no something far worse occupied his mind.

“I’m in the Captain’s ready room! She’s going to think I’m interested in her!” beads of sweat began popping out of Toby’s forehead “she’ll know he muttered to himself, she’ll know I’ve been here”

Toby paced for several minutes trying to figure out what to do next, eventually he realised he would have to walk out over the bridge. Getting back in the Jefferies tube was a no go, he couldn’t seem to lift himself up high enough.

Still sweating Toby moved silently out in to the bridge.

<< Bridge >>

His eyes widened manically as he saw Grenn sitting in the CO’s chair, for a moment he thought it was Jackie. It filtered through his brain that the Caitian was the answer to his problems.

Running forward he literally hauled J’al from his chair, his eyes still wide with fear as sweat dripped from his forehead.

“Lieutenant, how do Caitian’s flirt?!” He shouted.

OFF


OOC It's nutty again :-D

[Grenn]

<<Bridge - USS Horizon>>

J'al saw the XO before him, still holding his uniform collar up and sweating pretty good.

"Uh.... you think I was flirting with you or something? I think you might have had a few too many at the party the other night." J'al said, slowley getting out of the way that Nutly was holding him.

"Let's go into the Conference Room why don't we. Come on...." he said, motioning to the obviously distraught man.

OFF: Yowza o.O

[QaDghab]

QaDghab stumbled threw the Halls, muttering to the voice. He was not sure where he was going as his mind was locked in memory. He bumped the wall a few times and a number of people and then finaly found a room. Not knowing where it was, or that it was someone's Office he slid into one of the chairs and fell asleep.


<Tag: who ever want>

[Robert Barnes]

ON

<<U.S.S. Horizon - Robert Barnes' Quarters>>

Robert heard the hiss as the doors to his quarters opened. Thought I locked that...

His thoughts froze as he heard deep muttering. Though he couldn't make out the words, he could tell whoever was talking was extremely agitated. Robert reached for the com panel near his bed.

Before he could signal Security the mutterings stopped, followed closely by sounds of slumber. What the hell?

Deciding to check first, Robert quietly reached into the nightstand and pulled out his Type-1 phaser. Checking the setting, he rolled off the bed and quickly made his way to the living area.

There, slumped in one of the guest chairs, was a grizzled old Klingon. Robert leveled the phaser at him.

"Computer, Lights."

Robert squinted a little as the lights snapped back to Earth-normal intensity. But he kept his arm steady. "All right, I believe an explanation is in order."

OFF

[QaDghab]

QaDghab stirred and opened his eyes, his good eye blinking and then focusing on Robert as he muttered a Klingon Number under breath. "Where is this?" He demanded... and then his eye lost focus again as he argued with Domak.

He muttered for a while to the voice, getting agitated to the point that he was snarling. The smell of alcohol was prominant on him, but he seemed more crazed than Drunk... Though he hadn't yet realized he had a phaser pointed at him as he started to get up from the chair...

[Robert Barnes]

ON

Robert took a step back as the old Klingon began to rise from the chair. The scent of alcohol assailed his nose. Okay, so he's a little drunk. That will at least help. He also caught the man's rank insignia glint a little in the light. Robert had worked on enough Klingon ships during the war to pick up a little about Klingon uniforms. Time for a little "bluster"

"Iagh, you are in a Senior Officer's Quarters. It would be unwise for you to remain here. So either haul your own carcass out the door," Robert gestured with the phaser, "Or I will have Ship's Security toss you out. Am I clear?"

OFF

[QaDghab]

QaDghab muttered about Damok as his good eye focused off to the side.. his blind eye was unmoving except for the twitch. He moved still but towards the wrong way. He was headed for the door to the bedroom. As he did his breathing seemed to intensify as he remembered battle scenes and Damok telling him to count the heads of the federation and Klingon killed.

[Robert Barnes]

ON

Robert could hear the Klingon muttering something as he headed towards his bedroom.

Well, I could stun him. But then I'd have to explain why I shot someone, even if he is an intruder. I can't take him in hand-to-hand combat. Better to just let him sleep it off and file a report with Security.

Robert grabbed a spare uniform from one of the containers and got dressed. Checking the chronometer, it looked like he got about 6 hours sleep before being interrupted. Close enough. I'll head on down to Engineering and see what's going on.

OFF

(OOC: What? You thought I was really gonna shoot him? :p )

[QaDghab]

(OOC: LOL Had no problem with it long as was a way for him to wake up ;). Can't let him get away with everything easily :D )

ON:

QaDghab made it partly to the bedroom door and then turned and crashed into a table. He landed on his bum, bruising his side as he went down. He was snapped out of the dilusion though and muttered as he started to work as getting his aching joints off the floor. "Who are you? Why am I here!?" He demanded feircely.

[Robert Barnes]

ON

Robert mustered as much anger as he could. Klingons respect officers who have backbone... "Who I am is Lieutenant Barnes," he said, stressing his rank, "And where you are is in my quarters. You stumbled in here half-drunk and muttering. Now that you are simply half-drunk, get out. And before you ask, yes that is an order."

OFF

[QaDghab]

QaDghab nodded and gave a Klingon Salute before stumbling on out and starting down the cooridor to who knows where...

[Michael Lynch]

ON:<Sickbay Uss Horizon>

Michael stood pinned to the wall of the culture lab.The EMH just smiled at him as she slowly undid the buttons of his lab coat.Michael Hadn't the strength to fight the hologram and almost didn't want to.

"Come now michael i know you want me.Your blood pressure is elevated your skin is 7 degrees warmer than normal..." She slowly slid her hand down the front of his shirt.

"Your blood flow is being redirected to....other places." She smiled sweetly at him and continued to remove his coat.Then his shirt peppering kisses all over his chest skinking slowly to her knees her hands roaming....

"We ...we ahh we shouldn't be doing this!" Michael almost shrieked as the emh found a ticklish spot on his chest. "It's not proper!"

The emh paused and looked up and michael. "Since when have you been concerned about whats proper or not?"

Michael had to agree with her.His time aboard the ship had allready been eventfull.Several encounters with a few select crewmen.The Twin's especially.

"I mean your not ..this isn't i....." Michael couldn't even hope to begin to argue. The pleasure overode every objection in his mind.

"Just relax and enjoy this doctor." The emh smiled and pulled michael toward the main room and a bio bed. "Computer seal the door to sickbay.Authorization Lynch beta six echo." The emh had learned to mimic his voice.....But michael didn't care.

"Oh bloody hell i'll be damned."

The emh smiled and pulled michael down on to the bio bed with her.
"You just might be if your lucky."

OFF:The Doctor is in....

[Sammy Jo Swan]

Sammy had so far had a quiet shift, nothing else had happend that concerned her since QaDghab left the bridge, he was due to take over from her in just under two hours she hoped he would not do to much damage. That was of course if he was sober enough to take over on the bridge, he was not used to life on a federation vessel obviously or he would not of been drinking before he was due on duty. She also hoped his attitude towards the other crew was better than it was towards her, she had not heard anything from Kao in some time she would need to talk to him about QaDghab and his attitude. She knew how his insubordination would be dealt with on a Klingon vessel but this was a Federation vessel things were done differently here.

[Robert Barnes]

ON

Now that the Klingon veteran had left his quarters, Robert felt the adrenaline rush that had been necessary to make him leave. It also meant there was no way he was going back to sleep.

Can't go to Engineering, but I can go to the Bridge. Robert left his quarters and stepped into the nearest turbolift. "Main Bridge."

<U.S.S. Horizon - Main Bridge>

Robert stepped out onto the deck. Several junior officers were manning most of the stations. Robert recognized the half-Klingon woman he'd met at the XO's reception. But he didn't see any of the senior officers, and the Captain's Chair was empty.

Robert leaned over to the woman at Tactical. "Ensign...Swan, isn't it? Who's in command of the bridge?"

OFF

[Sammy Jo Swan]

Sammy turned and looked at the officer talking to her, "Yes Sir" looking around the bridge quickly "I believe that LT Grenn is in charge at the moment, he is in the readyroom with the XO just now. Is there something I can help you with Sir?"

[Grenn]

<USS Horizon Bridge>

OFF: Sorry Nutly, but I've waited a few weeks now, and I gotta start posting again. We can backpost it if need be.

ON:

J'al walked back onto the bridge with a rather distressed XO behind him who quickly shuffled off the bridge and into the turbolift. Not turning to watch him leave, J'al caught the last half of Ensign Swan's statement and walked over to the Tactical console where they both were.

"Yeah. This kind of happened by dafault. What's going on Rob?" he asked, leaning forward onto crossed arms on the console.

OFF: :)

[Robert Barnes]

Rob decided not to comment on the confrontation in his quarters, or the fact that he should still be off-duty.

"Not much. I left Ensign Gregory in charge down in Engineering a few hours ago, so I decided to come up to the Bridge and have a look around."

He crossed down to the Engineering station and relieved the crewman operating the console. "I don't want the young Ensign thinking that I don't trust her to handle a routine shift, but I also want to kind of know what's going on."

[Alaia Dara]

ON:

<<Horizon-Bridge>>

Lt. Dara watched as the XO and the Intelligence Officer retired to the Briefing Room. It was tempting to just follow, she was so very curious about Nutley's behaviour, but she knew it would be inappropriate. Sighing internally, she turned and left the bridge.

"Deck Five," she told the computer, closing her eyes to gather her thoughts as the turbolift sped along. An executive officer in such distress was a bad sign, she knew, but she warned herself not to jump to any conclusions. She would have to approach the Admiral about it eventually, but until the time was ripe, she simply had to stick to the original plan, interviewing the crew little by little.

By the time she reached her office she had a short list of the next few people to talk to in her mind. She went in and sat down at her desk, inputting the names into her PADD and waiting for K'Vok to turn up for his appointment.

K'Vok walked into the room with a sour look on his face. He couldn't stand the idea of coming to a counselor, it was demeaning. The last counselor he had been to had sent him to a mental institution, and he was going to kill this one if she tried.

"Counselor, I am sane."

Alaia was amused in spite of herself.

"I have no doubt of that," she said, her face not betraying the laughter she was trying to surpress. She coughed to cover the spasms in her chest.

"Please sit down and we'll talk about the stresses of being an exchange officer. Don't worry, I'm only here to help you."

"I don't want to sit down, I can handle being an exchange officer without the help of a weakling Federation counselor." K'Vok replied, sitting down, looking around with his somewhat wild eyes. "The only way you can help me is to leave me alone...unless you know anything about Vulcan gods, in which case, research I can be helped with."

"Surely the computer would be a better resource than I in your research of the Vulcan gods," Alaia leaned forward slightly. "Are you very interested in your Vulcan heritage? There are a number of Vulcans I know who would be amenable to discussing it with you."

K'Vok bared his teeth slightly, "I'm not interested in talking to followers of Surak, people who deny their emotions deny who they truely are." He replied. Then he leaned back, looking around. "I had an experience which brought my Vulcan heritage into sharp focus, I am studying it now."

The counselor nodded slowly. Emotional suppression wouldn't appeal to someone with Klingon blood in him. Still, at least she had him talking.

"What kind of experience could do something like that," she asked, feigning disbelief.

K'Vok looked at the counselor carefully, "One I will not discuss with you. It is between me and the Admiral."

The half-breed growled slightly, he wouldn't give away details of Pon Farr. Not while he was still stalking the kitty.

"As you say, then. I do not wish to intrude on a confidence," she replied carefully. "Still, important events often have consequences we can't forsee. I'll contact you with what research I can find, alright?"

Alaia smiled at him and stood, ending the interview. She wasn't going to get anything else from him, and he wouldn't be forthcoming in the future if she forced the issue.

K'Vok nodded and stood up. "Very well. And...thank you." The last two words sounded awkward and unusual coming from the man. It was strange, but it was obvious he was trying to adapt to the culture, somewhat. Without saying anything else, though, he turned around and left.

Lt. Dara allowed herself a smile as the door hissed shut behind him. It was the last interview of the day and she was officially off duty, though of course no one on the ship was ever really off duty if they were needed. She sat and made notes of their meeting.

K?vok seemed to be dealing with his unusual position well, much better than the other exchange officer, who seemed to be hearing voices. She sighed and called up the scant information available on Klingon mental disease. As she suspected, it was considered either religious or a source of shame that led to suicide. Since QaDghab didn?t appear to be taking either road she was puzzled. Of course, a slow suicide by drink wasn?t out of the question.

She decided it would be wise to alert Lt. Kao to QaDghab?s behaviour and suggest some sort of restricted duty until they could get to the bottom of the apparent disturbance. Quickly, she drew up a report and sent it to Kao, describing the encounter she?d had earlier in the day and asking for a meeting. Out of curiosity, she checked on Lt. Barnes?s location and discovered he was back on duty.

?Right,? she muttered to herself. ?One step at a time.?

She tapped her combadge lightly. ?Lieutenant Dara to Lieutenant Barnes.?

Whoever said small ships didn?t need counselors had obviously never been on the U.S.S. Horizon.

OFF

Tag: Barnes or Kao

[Sammy Jo Swan]

Sammy decided she was going to go check on a few things down in the security office, with the boss busy else where it left her to keep things flowing smoothly. She pulled up the rosta for that shift and found who else was on duty from sec/tac, Ensign Chant was in the office he could come up here and take over.


Hitting the comm button she hailed him =/\= Ensign Chant please report to the bridge for duty immediately =/\= hearing his name and bridge duty was an unexpected part of Brians shift he quickly locked down his station in the office and headed for the door =/\= Ensign Chant to Bridge - On my way Sir - Chant out =/\=


Sammy locked down the console and turned to LT Grenn - "Sir Ensign Chant is on his way up to take over on the tactical station i need to go and do some of the paperwork/filing that is waiting for me."


She did not wait for him to answer she turned away and headed off the bridge and down to the security office, she entered the office and walked over to Kao's desk the was a pile of padds there and there were messages waiting to be picked up on the computer. Sitting down she decided to start with the messages the first few were just routine reports from previous shifts the last one was from the councilor.


Sammy opened the message and found it was a report on QaDghab and also a request for a meeting, she could not believe it he had managed to draw the councilors attention to himself by talking with Damok in front of her. Well it was down to her to sort out as Kao's Assistant she had to deal with things until he came back. She started to type a reply to the councilor:

Councilor Dara,


Thankyou for bring QaDghabs problem to my attention. I am sorry to say that LT Kao is unavailable at this time, however I am available to meet with you anytime in the next 90 mins before QaDghab comes on duty to discuss the issue. Please inform me when the best time would be for you and where you wish to meet.


Yours


Ensign Swan
Ass Chief Security/Tactical Officer

Sammy hit the send button and sat back to wait for her reply.



Off: Kao is currently not around so any security tags need to come to me or QaDghab for now. Or feel free to use the newly created Ensign Brian Chant, I will be working on a bio for him very soon.:D

[Robert Barnes]

ON

<<U.S.S. Horizon - Bridge>>

?Lieutenant Dara to Lieutenant Barnes.?

Now what? I thought we had resolved this earlier.

Robert tapped his comm badge. "Barnes here. What can I do for you, Counselor?"

<<U.S.S. Horizon - Counselor Dara's Office>>

"Lieutenant, would you mind stopping by my office? I have a report to discuss with you."

Alaia kept her voice light and professional, no use embarrassing the man on the bridge.

<<Bridge>>

Robert tried not to sigh audibly since he was on an open frequency. He locked the console down. I don't think it will be a problem if it goes unmanned for a couple hours until the next shift.

"On my way." Robert tapped his badge and closed the channel. With a curt nod to Lt. Grenn, he boarded the Turbolift. "Deck 5."

<<U.S.S. Horizon - Deck 5>>

Robert quickly found Counselor Dara's office and pressed the chime.

"Enter," Dara called, and stepped around the desk to smile at Robert as he entered. "It's good to see you again, though I wasn't expecting it to be so soon."

She moved to sit in one of the easy chairs in the room, knowing he would follow so as not to be rude.

"Please, have a seat. This will only take a moment, but I thought it was something we should discuss in person," she continued, smile still firmly in place.

Robert sat down in the chair across from Alaia. For some reason his palms felt a little sweaty, so he rested his hands on his knees.

"Is there a problem? I know I said I would take the entire shift off, but something woke me up a couple hours early and I figured I'd go up to the bridge rather than go back down to Engineering and bother my Assistant."

Alaia settled back into her chair, folding her hands in her lap.

"Or to avoid being found out by her?" She smiled at his slightly flustered look.
"Robert, you're a very talented man, and a very talented engineer by all reports. If you had a deck plate that was taking more than it's share of the burden, and you could see that it was in danger of breaking under the pressure, what would you do?"

"Well...I'd take the deck plate out. A structurally weak deck plate is very dangerous. If it gives way at the wrong moment, the plate could buckle and we'd have a full-blown hull breach. But I don't see what that has to do with anything..."

"Oh, there's nothing wrong with the plate. The problem is with the uneven burden. Surely it would make more sense to try to redistribute the pressure on the plate so that the entire hull is stronger."

She raised her brows at him, hoping he would see the analogy.

Robert suddenly had an urge to wipe his brow. Did someone turn up the heat in the room?

"I suppose..." he mumbled, dropping his eyes down to look at a piece of the carpet just in front of his feet.

Alaia followed his gaze for a moment and then straightened up. She had a choice, outwait him, or charge ahead. She didn't want to embarrass him, only to help. It was better to go ahead as if she wasn't aware of his acute discomfort while still taking it into account.

"Most people are much like that deck plate. Everyone wants to take on the maximum amount of burden possible without breaking under the strain. It's up to you, and me, as members of the senior staff to make sure that doesn't happen in any department.
It's one of the most admirable traits we have as sentient beings, the desire to help others. We have to be very careful, however, to make sure that while others are leaning on us, we're leaning back to some extent. Like the ship, the crew can't function without every one of us taking some responsibilty. We can't let our own desires get ahead of the well being of the ship, because in the end, that's not noble, but selfish."

She paused to study his reaction. This time she would wait out his response.

Robert continued to stare at the carpet, trying to figure out how to put his thoughts into words. Finally he brought his head back up and looked at the counselor.

"Look, I know what you're getting at. I've been working hard, trying to make sure that the ship is running as smooth as possible. Maybe I got a little too wrapped up in that.
I mentioned Commander Pavlik, my former boss over on the Columbia. Did you know that she's six months younger than I am? Six months younger and she was three grades above me. When I first was assigned there, half the Lieutenants in the department were first-year cadets while I was already a commissoned officer..." He reigned in that line of thought. "What I'm trying to say is that I want to prove myself. I'm a capable engineer, but I feel like I need to be active in showing that."

"Robert, you know that there are more important things than rank. You have a better chance of proving your worth by actually being worthy when you're needed. If there were doubts about your capability, you wouldn't be a Chief Engineer on a flagship.
The department is running well. You've worked hard to get it working smoothly. You'll continue to work hard when you're on duty to ensure it stays working smoothly, and you'll rest when you need to so that if, by any chance, we run into serious trouble and desperately need our Chief Engineer he won't be so exhausted that his judgement is unreliable.
At least, that's what I hope you'll do, because I would hate to see your hard work be for nothing. You have to have balance in your life or you'll burn out. It's just the way things are. No one can sustain good performance if all his resources are used up."

"I suppose. I also know enough about ship's regulations that if I don't, you can have me downchecked from active duty." Robert held up a hand before Alaia could answer. "I'm not saying you would, but that's not really the direction I want to head."

"It's not an option either of us relishes. And it's not gone that far yet, not by any means. Still, I'm glad to hear that you're taking what I have to say seriously." She smiled at him. "I'm off duty now, myself, at least officially. Just to be sure you don't sneak off back to work, I think you should join me for dinner."

Robert smiled. "I suppose, but let me at least let Ensign Gregory know so that she can tell her relief that I won't be stopping by." Robert tapped his communicator. "Barnes to Engineering."

"Gregory here."

"Amanda, I'm not coming by during shift change. Designate someone to take charge on second-shift before you go."

"Sure thing Chief."

Robert closed the channel. "We could go somewhere other than Jefferson's Rest if you'd like. I think Holodeck 1 is available, and I haven't used any of my rec time there yet."

"That sounds wonderful, actually. I just have to check my messages." Lt. Dara stood and went to her desk quickly, when she read the report from Swan her face fell. "You're not going to believe this," she told him, "but I actually need to have another meeting. It shouldn't take too long. Why don't I meet you in the holodeck in, say, 45 minutes?"

Robert stood up. "No problem. Besides, it gives me an excuse to unpack some of my off-duty clothing. But let's make it an even hour. That way you can go back to your quarters and change if you want. Don't be late."

With that, Robert ducked out of the office and headed for his quarters. I hope I can find the container that has my casual clothes in it...

OFF

Joint Post: Robert Barnes and Alaia Dara

[Michael Lynch]

ON:<Sickbay uss horizon>

Micheal sat in his office going over a few crew records making notes of needed physicals and overdue exams.His mind kept drifting to shelly and the other fated to tie them together forever.A young security officer on the fast track to promotion.Ensign Alex chadwick.

He had been on the scene the day of the "accident" That took shelly's life.Unknown to Michael at the time her and alex had started up a relationship.It had been no suprise later that alex had been so eager to help michael.To try and save shelly's "essence" with the holomatrix technique.Only after alex witnessed the resulting chaos in the shelly hologram did he reveal his relationship with her and demand michael delete it.

"If only he knew what i did....."

Michael stood and shook off any reservations he might of had.He closed the padd he was working on and headed up to the bridge to find the admiral.Seemed someone was overdue for there yearly medical review.

[Sammy Jo Swan]

Off: Ok am not sure if Alaia had anything else she wanted to add or not but wanted to get this posted so as not to hold others up any longer. I can always edit it to add more if need to.

ON

<<Horizon - Security Office>>

Alaia Dara stood outside the Security Office and pressed the chime. She'd taken a few moments to review Swan's record before coming to meet with her and decided that someone as busy as the ensign would appreciate it if she came to her. She straightened her uniform a bit as she waited for the call to enter.

Swan was sitting at the desk trying to work out just what to say about QaDghab when the door chimed "Enter" she looked towards the door to see who was there.

Alaia stepped inside and took a quick look around. She knew she wouldn't be able to function long in this kind of chaos, but this was what happened in a department when the head took off.


"Ensign Swan, hello, I'm Alaia Dara, the ship's counselor. I thought it would be easier for you if I just stopped by to talk to you about QaDghab rather than having a formal meeting," she seated herself in the only other clear chair in the office as she spoke.


"I saw you on the bridge earlier, but wasn't able to properly introduce myself. Tell me, what's your impression of QaDghab?"

"Councilor welcome to the nuthouse, if you will bear with me for a moment I will get us some privacy." Turning to speak to the others in the office "Ok everybody you are on tea break until I call you back is that clear" everyone nodded there acceptance of her order and quietly left the office.

"Ok now that we are alone I will answer your question, I think he is rude aggressive and just a little crazy or in other words a normal Klingon. May I ask what your opinion of him is as you have possibly spoken with him longer than me."

"We had an interesting discussion earlier in the lounge. I have to say, I was a little surprised. Not by the rudeness, or the aggression, however. I'm pretty sure those are in keeping with cultural differences."

Alaia settled back in her chair, watching Swan as she spoke.

"No, what frankly bothered me was his dialogue with a voice in his head. I did a little research, and such things are not common amongst Klingon. He claims that he's speaking with a ghost, but doesn't seem to have sought aid from any clerics on the matter. What's more, he seems to be in a constant state of drunkeness, which is probably a defence against the hostile enemy in his own mind. In short, I'm quite concerned that he could pose a serious danger to himself or the crew at this point. Of course, I'm not a Klingon, so I don't have all the answers. If, given all this, you still think he's fit for duty, I'd like to at least suggest a restricted duty roster."

Sammy was quiet for a moment trying to get the words she wanted to use right in her own mind first.

"You are correct in the fact that it is not normal for a Klingon to be seen walking around in his condition, mainly because most give up fighting and comit ritual suicide. QaDghab is stronger than them in someways he is still fighting it, the ghost as you call it is of a cardassian named Damok he was an interrigator for the Obsidian Order during the Dominian war. He is responsible for QaDghab's physical condition as well as his mental one, part of the mind games that they played was to make him count the heads of the Klingon and Federation dead. As for your assumption that he is always drunk that is incorrect he has flash backs to those days, they are not good but he fights it and is still here he will however need help and soon or i fear he will lose the fight.

As to his dutys he will be accompomnying me on routine inspections and security checks for his first shift , the rest I will sort out after this next shift is over it will give me time to judge his competence whilst on duty."

Lt. Dara nodded slowly.

"I'm heartened to hear your assessment. As I said, it's always difficult when dealing with cultural differences, and I'm quite happy to understand his mental state a bit more. Thank you for being so candid."

She smiled as she continued. "I'll trust you to make a judgement on his duty, then, but I do want to meet with him on a regular basis, just so we're all on the same wavelength."

Alaia stood and nodded to Swan.

"Did you have anything else you wanted to tell me before I go?"

"There is nothing else that concerns you, thankyou for your tact in handeling this situation."

Sammy turned away from the councilor the last thing she needed was for her to decide that she also need to talk with her her problems were her own. she touched her face where he had headbutted her it still hurt but it was nothing she could not live with.

Sammy hit the comm and called the staff back that she had sent out.


A Joint post by

Alaia Dara
Ship Counselor
USS Horizon

and

[Jackie Clawson]

OFF:
This one’s been lying around unfinished since end of March…

ON:

<<USS Horizon – Lounge>>

Jackie blinked as she stepped inside the lounge, looking a bit lost in the room for a moment and feeling very out of place. Keeping her anxiety in check, she glanced back at Tauvits.

Tauvits was already stepping forward, the crowds low but enough for comfortable activity. He paused partway on his trip to the bar, and gestured for her to follow. "Come on! Can't settle down for a drinking game if you don't have drinks. My round."

Jackie smirked, “fair enough, you’d have to explain the rules to this game however” she said, following him. “the only games I play usually take place on the bridge nowadays.”

“Well... I might have lied." Tauvits hopped on to a bar stool. "I don't know a game with the CEOs of the Corporate Confederation. I can't imagine who would have invented that; even T'Varel's not that big a stiff and she's a damn Vulcan. I could probably quiz you and make you take a shot every time you got something wrong, though." He tried another disarming smile, though it wilted a little. "Er... I'll get you that drink. What do you want?"

Jackie stared for a moment, eyebrow raised, “you just want to get me drunk don’t you, Mr Tauvits?” she asked him, a small smile on her lips, even though she should probably hurt the man for lying, but he’s had a certain charm around him, even she had to admit that, “you know quite well I’m not that familiar with the Sector yet, and I’m likely end up drunk quite quickly” She narrowed her eyes, not really wishing for the day to end quite like that….she quickly shook that off before she got grumpy or moody.

Jackie shook her head, “What do I want? surprise me” she smiled.

“Get you drunk? Why would I want to do a thing like that?" His smile broadened. "We can still talk business. Just we don't have to do it stuffed up in an office or on the bridge." Tauvits turned to the bar, seeking service and discreetly ordering a couple of drinks. When the small glasses were brought up, he slid one across to her. They held a sparkling green liquid. "Cheers." Falco lifted his, still wearing the smirk.

“Heh, suppose we don’t have to be stuffed up in an office or on the bridge, but a bar…? That seems a bit, out of place” Jackie said, definitely feeling out of place as lifted up the glass, “okay.. what’s this?” she asked looking at Falco,

"Absinthe. I thought we should get off to a hefty start." Falco paused, holding the glass just in front of his lips, evidently waiting for her to go first.

Jackie furrowed her brows for a bit, not sure if she should taste it.

“hefty start…jumping in right away aren’t you?” she smiled evenly, before taking the glass and tasting the drink just briefly. She blinked as the taste assaulted her senses.

"You gotta swig it all back!" Tauvits chuckled. "No small tastes. Like this." He tilted the glass back, swallowing the liquid in one go, and made a face as he coughed it down. "Phew. That's the stuff. Hits the spot pretty damn well." There was a pause as Falco regained his composure, then looked over at Jackie. "I believe in kicking things off with a hefty start. Think of it as a baptism of fire. And don't mind the burning throat."

Jackie raised an eyebrow, “Fair enough…” she looked at the green liquid in the glass, then at Falco Tauvits who seemed to quite enjoy this, shrugging lightly, the Caitian took a long swig of the liquid emptying the glass in one go. Her eyes widened briefly. She blinked, gritting her teeth, “whu.. what’s in that stuff?” she shook her head trying not to make a scene. “Oww…”

"Erm. Herbs," Tauvits said, evidently quite unsure but not really lying. "And anise, but you can probably taste that. They nicknamed it 'The Green Fairy'... I'm not entirely sure why. There's harsher stuff out there, but that's usually industrial paint-stripper..."

Jackie rubbed at her head, her ears flickering, “aiy…” She stifled a cough clearing her throat before she spoke again “you tried industrial pain stripper…?” she raised an eyebrow at him as her hand stroked her ears.

"I watched someone do it. As a bet. Academy, as you've probably guessed." Tauvits turned back to the bar. "I'll order us something more mild next... one of the nice pints? That can be drunk a bit more, eh... slowly. Doesn't destroy the throat. Nice and tasty, good for thirst?"

Jackie coughed a little again

“Right.. heh. Well you had your fun at the Academy I suppose. I just stuck to playing chicken with my squadron amongst a few other things. Heh. “ she shrugged lightly, “your choice, you’re the expert in the field with the drinks. I’m just startin’ out it seems”

"I'll be kind, I promise." Tauvits gave her another wink, this time ordering a pair of light bitters. Waiting for the pints to be poured, he turned briefly back to Jackie. "So you were one of those pilot nutjobs? See, most of the ones I met there partied harder than everyone else when they were done playing chicken..."

Jackie chuckled softly, “yeah I had a knack for making some want to drink more at the end of the day” she smirked, “not my fault I like to push the envelope a little harder than some humans do.”

"Most of them just can't take it. They crack after being pushed a little bit too much. Met a few purebreeds who managed to be worth something despite themselves..." But Tauvits' tone was light and casual, and it was clear he wasn't serious. He glanced back as their pints were placed in front of them, and slid one over towards her. "This should be a lot nicer."

“heh…” she chuckled lightly before reaching for the pint. “now.. the point of this whole.. thing.. is to what, exactly…? “ she raised an eyebrow at him, her ears twitching at the sounds around “relax me…? “ she smirked as she picked up the pint and took a gulp from it pausing briefly to get the taste of it.

“Get you out of that bridge. Or the ready room. I've done the overworking thing before. You have to be able to kick back and spend some time with... people. Everyone around you. Not with uniforms in the way, or duty as a framework. You have to spend time with people, and then you remember why you get up in the morning and go to work." Tauvits lifted the pint glass, taking a grateful gulp of the beer. "Plus, you might just have a meltdown. That's also unhealthy." He leaned back. "Plus, I need a drinking buddy."

“I’ve always been like that, really….” She shrugged lightly, “heh. Why me? Outta all the crew aboard….” she asked, “ my XO’d probably be a better drinking buddy than I would be…”

"It's not just about all who can drink whom under the table." Falco gave an exaggerated shrug. "There are always other factors."

“I think unless it’s bloodwine, just about anyone can drink me under the table.” She said, “what sort of factors?” she asked, slightly curious to hear the answer

"What, first I let you know I'm on board, then I tell you why I dragged you down for a drink? Do I have to tell all of my secrets on this ship?" His smile turned light, playful, yet innocent.

Jackie chuckled lightly, “suppose you’re allowed to have a few secrets…” she said with a sly grin, “as long as they don’t interfere with the operations of the ship”

"I have to retain my aura of mystique. I am, after all, the infamous Falco Tauvits, disgraced Starfleet Admiral." He gave a false, flourishing bow as best he could on his stool. "Plus, Intel lock me up with codes and secrets more than I could remember of my own accord."

Jackie gave the man a sideways smile, “you Intel types always hide something.” She said, “how is it you don’t spill any… secrets when you indulge in one too many of these…” she pointed at the pint in her hands before taking another drink from it.

"None of it's interesting." Tauvits rolled his eyes. "Or it's the sort of stuff which gets me killed. And after spending time in the Triangle, you learn to keep your mouth shut even if you're so drunk you think the bartender's your best friend." His casual expression turned a little colder, a little harsher, but he shook his head and went for another gulp. "Just time and practice." His next smile was a little more forced.

Jackie’s ears flickered lightly sensing the slight change in mood.

“Sorry.. I.. “ she shook her head, “should know these things.” She said, “security’s kinda like that to some extent” she said, her own voice quieter, she stole a glance at the mug in her hands, “there’s always stuff that can get you killed…’n more ways that one.” She noted, half smirking

"Yeah..." Another exaggerated shrug. "That's the job we do." Tauvits took another sip. "You know, I think that was part of the enjoyment from commanding the Theseus. There was a plan, yes... but on the whole, it was just me, and my ship, and my crew, and none of the fate of the galaxy on our shoulders." He shook his head. "Whereas we have a whole Raeyan playground. I can't deny I thoroughly miss those days, bouncing around here with the Thunderchild."

Jackie nodded lightly, staring at her mug for a moment, “well.. you got the Horizon now” she said, “I know it’s not the same, but I’m sure we can work something out to satisfy your nostalgia a bit at least” she said. “not like the TFCO would object to that” she smiled lightly.

"The days are long gone. It was the people, more than the place. Long gone." Yet another shrug. "But we can ever carve out brand new tales, adventures. We move on." A gulp of the pint. "So how're Task Force Command duties suiting you these days?"

Jackie shrugged lightly, “so far so good” she said, “I’ve been mostly catching up with things that happened on the Horizon whilst I was gone, but I read through a few Task Force matters as well” she rubbed at her head, “I hate that part of the job, but it’s something that has to be done,” she said. "At least the pile of PADDs on my desk is more manageable right now" she said, "probably until i go back in there though" she shook her head, blinking a few times to focus on the drink in her hands.

"See, we always have to escape from the bureaucracy, the craziness. How's the pint?" Tauvits gave her a quizzical look, obviously trying to lighten the mood.

“Eh… not bad…” she said, “what’s that one?” she asked finishing it off with a gulp and placing the mug on the surface in front of her.

“That was a brew from Raeya III, in fact. One of the little breweries on the southern islands. There are some Earth ones here as well... want to experiment, or we found a brew that's good for you?" He smiled at the small, silly, inadvertent rhyme.

Jackie smirked nonchalantly, “le…” she paused, blinking at the variety of somewhat alien sounds coming from all over the lounge. She looked around wearily, clearly feeling way out of her element in the lounge. Her place was the bridge not down in the lounge gulping down drink after drink.

She glanced askance at Falco who seemed to be enjoying this. Jackie shook her head as her mind wandered off for a moment.

‘focus… focus…’ she chided herself, Jackie blinked trying to get her bearings back; her ears fluttering at the seemingly foreign sounds in the lounge. Yep she did feel out of place. This wasn’t her place.

Jackie looked up sharply.

“what the hell am I doing?” she murmured to herself , throwing a few glances around, this wasn’t her rightful place. She glanced at Tauvits who seemed almost serene here.

‘should’ve stayed on the bridge….’ She thought, “Look I ah… gotta be up on the bridge in a few hours” she said. “Thanks for… the drinks” she said, throwing a smile in Tauvits’ direction.

With a little wave, the Caitian slid off the chair and swiftly slinked out of the Lounge before anything else could be said.

OFF:

Not the ending we originally planned, but...next time perhaps... hehe



Part III coming up soon. III and IV at that. And V in the works to take us to the next day or so.. O.o wow talk about backlogged…and V being another JP in the works… hooboy

I know we need to get a move on things, but it is exam season for some folks. ^.^ pardon me

BTW, XO’s on ELOA until further notice due to real life; so no tags. Let ‘im just roam free hiding away from the ‘flirtatious’ CO

JP by Falco Tauvits and the killer kitty

[Jackie Clawson]

ON:

<< USS Horizon – Somewhere on Deck 3>>

QaDghab once more entered the wrong quarters, his mind focused on the voice that muttered in his mind as he came in and walked around the room a bit... until he saw a batletH and staring at it started to remove it from the wall...

<Captain’s Quarters>
Jackie shook her head, clearing it for a moment. Her trip from the Lounge was uneventful for most part. Her mind kept wandering all over the place and the Caitian kept forcing herself to focus and get to her quarters without embarrassing herself. Thus far it’s been a success, considering how well she’s hid her ‘state of mind’ and remained steady on her feet.

However, even she was no fool; she knew this wasn’t a state to show up on the bridge in. Even if she wasn’t what one would consider drunk just yet; her mind wasn’t as fully functional as it usually was.

Blinking once again to focus her mind, Jackie tapped at the panel outside her quarters. The door swooshed aside allowing her entry inside. Jackie blinked once again, focusing herself as she stepped inside and headed straight for the replicator.

Placing a hand on the wall to steady herself Jackie keyed in a triple shot of raktajino, hoping the caffeine would bring back her alertness levels somewhat. She let out a low growl of frustration.

QaDghab was lost in his own world as he lifted the batletH and frowned at the weight of it. It was light... too light. He threw it off to the side with a snarl of disgust as he moved blindly along... counting the objects in the room as he would heads... He made muttering sounds as he argued with Damok and then he spotted a fuzzy head...

Jackie’s ears twitched as she heard something clatter. It almost sounded like…she blinked…she heard muttering of sorts...Jackie caught her breath; she wasn’t alone in her quarters.

Snapping into action the Caitian nearly leapt over half the room to get to the place where the sounds were coming from. Spotting her betleH off to one side she scurried to pick it up without falling over. The Caitian barely managed to keep her balance. Hefting the blade up she swung around to zero in on the muttering as she held the blade by her side.

“Who the hell are you?” she queried with a hint of anger in her voice, not too amused at the intrusion, as she spotted the burly Klingon.

QaDghab muttered a number first as his good eye looked towards her, though unfocused and then seemed to continue around the room muttering. "Quiet Damok.. am counting..." He muttered in Klingon language... He hadn't realized she had spoken to him yet or who she was for the matter.

Jackie raised an eyebrow.

‘why do I get stuck with all the looneys?’ she thought, then a low growl escaped her lips as the name he spoke sunk into her mind.

“Do I look like a bloody Cardassian to you, Klingon?” she nearly snarled, her eyes flaring up with anger as her grip tightened on her blade.

QaDghab focused back on her... his blind eye twitching as he studied her with his good eye. "Who are you?"

“You’re on MY ship and in MY quarters, and you want to know who I am?!” She remarked in a sharp tone. “Who are you and what do you want?” she snapped at him speaking the last phrase in Klingon, her eyes narrowing as her vision focused on the Klingon.

"QaDghab." He merely said before telling Damok to shut up as he was laughing.

“You’re not quite right upstairs are you…” Jackie muttered. She let out a low sounding mrr, blinking several times as she steadied herself.

“What are you doing in my quarters?” she queried.

"Quarters?" He studied the room around him... realizing that was what they were. "Thought was on Cardassia..." He shook his head. "This Horizon?"

Jackie chased off a half formed thought as she glanced at her betleH. “Yes, this is Horizon, why are you on the Horizon?!” she asked in a steady tone.

QaDghab frowned... "I was assigned... Weapons Officer..." He said using the Rough Klingon Equivalent to the position he had.

"Who are you? A Grishner Cat?" He asked with bad attitude... though instantly he actually did wander why a Grishner cat would be talking non the less standing on hind legs in cloths...

Damok taunted him again and he snarled back at him... "Go bother someone else Damok..."

“I’m not Damok…” Jackie let out a low growl, staring intently at the Klingon. “Rear Admiral Jackie Clawson, I’m the Commanding Officer of the Horizon” she said. “Who assigned you to security aboard the Horizon and for what reason?” she asked, dully noting for the first time, he wasn’t StarFleet.

“I wasn't talking to you!" He growled.. "My House sent me... after they reduced my rank." He spat in disgust. Damok laughed again but he ignored him this time.

“Did your house also require you to roam freely around my quarters?” she asked, her tone rough. Jackie’s mind wandered off wondering if this had anything to do with her being at the tournament and all that occurred at the tournament.

"I wasn't in your Quarters... I was on Cardassia." He went down to muttering again... "Stupid Cardassian petaQ's... Kill you all... Your heads be counted like the fools you had me count..." He muttered as he lumbered towards her.. and the door.

Jackie blinked, wondering how did that apply?

“There are no Cardassians here.” She said. “and there won’t be whilst I’m still in command” she added, sidestepping as he lumbered towards her.

He made it part way to the door and then stopped... "You’re the Commander?" He had his moment of sanity.

“Last time I checked.” Jackie remarked, fixing him with a steady fierce look. “And do stay the hell out of my quarters.” She spoke.

QaDghab paused... actually seeming somewhat startled. "Understood... he looked at the batletH. You know how to use that?"

Jackie looked askance at QaDghab, following his gaze as it stopped at the betleH.

“Indeed.” She spoke, “Wouldn’t have it, if I couldn’t use it.” She said.

"Perhaps at some point we can spar." He said as he walked over a moment and took a drink of Racktajino before shaking his head. "Replicated?"

Jackie nodded, smirking slightly, “Indeed.” She spoke, “Starfleet’s not much for…. Live food or drink.”

"The ra'wI' should not drink Replicated stuff. I have a case of the real stuff. You may have to ask where the Shuttle Pilot put it though." He said

Jackie smirked, “No, but that’s what I have to settle for.” She spoke, “You have a case of real raktajino?” she queried curiously, “All cases are probably in one of the CargoBays” Jackie said.

"Enough to last a few months. It is yours." He said, basically giving it to her.

Jackie raised an eyebrow.

“Why…? “ she asked, blinking several times, “I can live on replicated food, you on the other hand require non replicated food”

"You are the ra'wI'. You need it more than I." He said once more off to side telling Damok to be silent.

“I’m used to the replicated stuff, considering I’ve had the real thing only on a few occasions. Although the last few days I've only had the real Klingon stuff” Jackie replied, “you’ve brought the case for reasons other than giving it to your ra’wI’” she noted regarding the Klingon. She blinked a few times focusing on the burly male. Shaking her head and keeping her balance, Jackie leant on a wall casually crossing her arms on her chest as she continued. “Where were you before the Horizon?” she queried.

QaDghab was distracted a moment as he growled at Damok to be silent once more. Then he looked up to answer her. "The House estate on Qo'noS. It is my first real assignement since the war." He said with a low growl, clearly not happy about that.

"Take the offer, I may not be a Sa' anymore but I still have resources for getting more." He said, his tone indicating that this was an offer that would best not be refused. He was doing this on what little Honor he had left as a Klingon.

Jackie nodded curtly.

“Very well." She spoke, "You'll have to tell me more about your House sometime" she said, "I've had a special interest in anything Klingon for a few years and it's been greately peaqued since the last betleH Tournament" she said.

"I am sure this assignment is different to what you're normally used to." she said waving a hand in the air indicating the ship. "But perhaps you might find a few surprises here" she remarked with a sly smirk.

He grunted, "It has been a while, but I doubt I will find anything of surprise." He snorted though finding out he had a daughter have been a major surprise. He muttered a moment his blind eye twitching along with the two half fingers on his hand. He seemed to get distracted a moment as he looked about the room.. counting. His stomach grumbled in response to fact he hadn't eaten since arriving, but he didn't seem to notice. He started to wander the room again.

"you never know" Jackie shrugged and pushed herself away from the wall. 'oww..' she blinked several times at the throbbing in her head. "'s been a surprising week thus far, who knows what tomorrow will bring." she said, "you just have to be careful whose quarters you wander into." she spoke, her ears twitching lightly at his muttering.

He stumbled a bit around the room until he came up to her and as if didn't see her, ran into her and grabbed onto her for balance. Then he realized, she was soft... He growled slightly... in a manner indicating he wasn't qute in right mind... he stroked her ears.

Jackie swatted his hand away from her ears and gave the Klingon a shove to try to snap him back to his senses.

“enough” she spoke, giving the Klingon a steady glance. “I doubt a Klingon ra’wI would stand for such an outlandish behaviour; don’t expect me to stand it any less just because I’m not Klingon”

QaDghab shook his head, breaking out of the illusion for now. "Perhaps I should leave before Damok aggravates me again. Is there any real alcohol around?" He said with a sniff of the air. He could pick up the alcohol smell from her.

“Lounge” Jackie spoke, “it’s located on the deck below” she paused, recalling her experience there just now “I believe they have a wide variety of… drinks there”

QaDghab nodded with a grunt, "Good." He said and headed for the door, muttering a bit to himself, as he moved away he sneezed...

Jackie watched the Klingon go, she winced her senses assaulted by the sneeze as it registered in her mind. She rubbed at her head as the door to her quarters slid shut behind the exiting Klingon.

OFF:
I think she's gonna need therapy soon, course she'll deny she needs it.. :P


JP by QaDghab and Jackie Clawson

[QaDghab]

Sammy was alone in the office the councilor had just left after their conversation Sammy was not looking forwards to talking with QaDghab, nor was she looking forwards to telling him he was on restricted duties for the unforeseeable future. He was on duty in 30 mines so it was time to call him in for a little chat she hit the comm. button =/\ = QaDghab lagh report to the security office immediately=/\ =

The sound of glass shattering sounded over to comm. a few moments later and then QaDghab muttering to himself in tlhingan Hol. He had used the combadge as if it was a throwing star, shattering a glass with it as he hit a button on the computer in his quarters.. sending a tight bean transmission to a friend in the Empire.

Sammy hit the desk with her fist "Dam him, I don't need this s##t right now" Sammy left the office and headed for his quarters she was angry with him still his behavior was more what you would expect from a youth than a warrior of his age and experience. She reached his quarters a few mines later and hit the chime and waited for him to answer.

QaDghab went to the door, belching as he looked at her with his good eye. "What do you want?"

"You were hailed and all we got back was the sound of breaking glass, what are you up to now"

"Talking to an acquaintance." he said, quickly loosing attention as he walked back into the room. "What is it you want?" He repeated.

"You are require to report for duty in 20 mines and you do not look like you are in any condition to do so, I suggest you get yourself cleaned up and dressed for duty which includes your combadge"

He grabbed the combadge from among shards of a broken glass and set it on the table. and then dropped the cloths right then as he headed for the shower. His back mottled with scars that majority appeared to not been related to combat.

She shook her head she certainly had her work cut out for her with him, why did her father have to be so stubborn and rude all the time. She sat down and waited for him to finish his shower and then get him self ready for duty.

After a while it seemed he been in there a long time as he took his time in there, more muttering could be heard from the shower.

Sammy's temper was starting to rise again "QaDghab unless you wish me to come in there and drag you wrinkly butt out of that shower I suggest you hurry up" her voice held a lot of anger which was all being aimed at him, seeing as how he was the main cause of it.

"Be silent woman. I'm going fast as can." He snarled in tlhingan Hol.

"I will not be silent old fool you have only 5 mines left before you are due on duty, it will not look good to be late for your first shift" she shouted also in tlhingan Hol she stood and started to pace the room

"Where is the water?" He asked suddenly.

"It is a sonic shower there is no water"

"Bah!" he growled and came back out, he was wet but was from the sink rather than the shower. He started to pull on the same cloths.

She stood there whilst he dressed "You will no longer be on duty on the bridge this shift, you are now on routine patrol with me" she almost growled the words

He frowned. "Why?"

"Because you made a bad impression on the ships councilor she has requested that you be put on restricted duties until she has fully assessed your heath and fitness mentally for duty" she frowned

"So now they think I am nuts here to!?" He growled unhappily. "Stupid fools."

"She has not yet formed an opinion of you we have had a meeting where she voiced her concerns about your health, I have done all I can to stop you being removed from duty. But you will have to speak with her again and explain in more detail what is going on and what happened to you."

"And if I refuse?" He asked angrily.

She looked sad "you would be stupid to do so if you do not accept the help that is being offered you will be removed from all duties and either confined to quarters or if that does not work the brig. It is not the line I wish for you to follow, but it is your life and your honor if you are sent back to the Empire due to mental health issues I do not think it will go down very well"

"I don't have any honor left... But you are correct." He said with a grumble.

"I do not believe you have no honor, but what I think or believe does not concern you. It is time to start the shift if you are finally ready we have a long and hopefully uneventful shift in front of us"

"If I am sent back to the Empire for such thing they would kill me." He finally said as he headed out the door. As soon as he was out the door his attention was caught on to the heads of passerby's but he didn't count out loud this time.

She followed him out of the door and caught up with him just a short way down the corridor after she had secured his quarters. "I know you do not wish to spend time with me but this shift will go much smoother if we at least try to be civil to each other"

"What is civil?" He asked, as in to ask if she expected him to act civil like a human or Klingon.

"Not arguing and fighting all the way through the shift"

"Don't give me anything to argue about."

"That would be impossible as far as you are concerned i think, you find an argument in everything" . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Especially where I am concerned" she sounded angry again when she spoke this time

He just shrugged. "Then you ask for the impossible."

"That is probably true but you will try to avoid it anyway"

"Perhaps." He said as they walked down the corridor.

She shook her head this was definitely going to be a long shift. "Why were you sent here"

"Just was." He said with a shrug as he counted about 4 heads passing by.

"They must of had a reason to send someone like you here, what i mean is you said that they think you mad so what reason would they have to send you here"

"They wouldn't let me serve the Defense Force anymore. They sent me here." Is all he said as his stomach grumbled and his eyes followed the corridor, catching into each head.

she walked in silence for a while not knowing what they could talk about, they had changed decks they would cover every deck at least once during the shift.

He twitched slightly as his eye went to one of the passerby?s. He watched them a moment, stopping and scenting the air.

"What is the problem"

"Romulan Ale..." He just muttered to himself. Though he meant it in a different context than it sounded.

"I do not understand what you mean, explain"

"He smells like Romulan."

"It is possible that he is or at least partly we have people from many races aboard this ship"

A look of disgust crossed his face.

She laughed "Whilst you serve aboard a Federation vessel you will have to get used to it"

"Never had to before." He grumbled. Though they assumed otherwise, he had served on one before.

"Times change and we have to change with them, you forget i know you have worked with the Federation before you know they will allow most races into their service"

"Except Romulans!" He sneered. They are the enemy.

"Even some romulans are accepted if they prove their loyalties are to the federation, and even they have half-breeds which are the more common sight aboard a federation vessel"

He just grunted in disbelief. He didn't believe her and had turned around to follow the man.

She sighed and turned to go after him she caught up with him easily, "You have to stop this he is a member of this crew which you would know if you had bothered to familiarize yourself with the crew manifest" she put her hand on his shoulder and pulled him round to face her

"Get your hand off me!" He snarled. As he glared at her with his good eye.

She removed her hand and in a low but firm voice? You can not go round following crew just because they are Romulans or any other race you dislike"

"They don't belong here!" He growled loudly, bringing a passerby to a starting stop for a moment.

"Your opinion means nothing here, this is not the Empire and you are not in command"

"They are the enemy! They will always be the enemy!" He snarled angrily.

"They are not all the enemy, you are wrong in your judgment again" she looked around a few officers were starting to crowd round to listen to what was going on "Go about your business all of you, this does not concern you" She turned to QaDghab "If you continue like this I will have no choice but to take you off duty altogether"

QaDghab gritted his teeth and bit his tongue... then with a blow of air threw his nostrils he turned and started down the Corridor.

Sammy turned and followed him along the corridor she walked in silence watching him as other crew passed him, waiting for him to do something else stupid.

He started muttering after a while, arguing with the voice in his head as he walked, refusing to look at her and instead studying everything they came across..

She moved up level with him as they turned a corner and entered the area that contained a lot of the crews quarters. She still said nothing she just listened to the argument he was having with Damok again.

"Don't make me go after the rest of your friends Damok.." He muttered in Klingon... "Fine," He hissed, "Then rest of your miserable kind..." He muttered a bit more low to himself... He snarled... "What makes you think that I wouldn't!"

She decided that she could not let this continue, ?QaDghab silence your ravings" she growled

QaDghab looked at her. "Ravings?"

"You were arguing with your unwanted guest again, you need to try and keep better control of yourself do not let him disrupt your duties"

"Tell him that!" He growled. "he won't be silent!"

"Then treat him with the same respect you show me and ignore him as well"

"I can't..." He frowned. "I can't think with him in there..."

She frowned "Try telling him he does not exist he might even believe you"

He snorted... "Tried that long time ago. Stupid bastard..." he said rubbing the scaring where his ear used to be.

Sammy growled and grabbed him pushing him against the wall "I have let allot of your comments your insults pass but if you ever call me that again I will make you suffer" her face was pressed against his her eyes locked with his.

His good eye squinted, while the other remained wide open and twitching, at that range could see the scaring where his eye had been split at one time. "I wasn't talking about you.." he growled, his breath fowl.

She was breathing fast but was still in control "Then consider this your only warning to never call me it" she let go of him and turned away and started off down the corridor as she did she punched the wall with such force she broke one of her knuckles

He grunted and moved on, continuing down the corridor and walking into one of the doors...

She heard him grunt then the door opening she looked around and saw him entering a set of quarters that someone had neglected to lock, swearing she followed him in

He looked around the room.. seeming confused to how he got there... he looked around then spotting a woman there without cloths he backed up running into Swan.

Swan guided him out of the door and then went back and explained to the occupant that she was sorry they had entered the wrong door and they were sorry to disturb her, then she turned and left again. Outside QaDghab was waiting for her slightly up the corridor

QaDghab leaned against the wall holding his head in hands and breathing deeply...

She looked at him concern on her face "Are you alright"

He shook his head, "I keep doing that."

"What walking in on naked women, or going somewhere and not
knowing how you got there or why"

"Not that lucky.." he snorted... the first joke of sorts heard from him.

She grinned "Come on lets keep moving we may be security but even we need a reason to be hanging around in one place too long"

QaDghab nodded with a sigh. He didn't argue this time. He was becoming weary.

Sammy noticed that his pace had slowed slightly so she headed for the nearest lift and headed for the security office there was still a lot of paper work to do and they did not actually have to patrol the whole ship.

QaDghab took a moment, but followed slowly. When reached the office he sat in one of the seats.

Sammy said nothing she just sat in Kao's chair and started to go through all the reports and requests on his desk, there were a lot of them it seemed he had not been keeping up with it all.

He was quiet, his eye looking around the room, studying everything.

Sammy didn't look up she simply spoke to him "This is going to take some time so make yourself comfortable"

"Never comfortable..." He merely said as he studied an object on the desk.

There was not much she could say in reply to that so she just carried on skip reading reports and putting them in piles of urgency for full reading.

As the silence drew on a soft snore sounded in the room...

She looked up at the sound of snoring then smiled, they were alone in the room so it would not hurt to let him sleep for now.

Even as he rested, there was a slight twitch of the blind eye and it had not closed completely, getting a glassy look as it dried... the rest of his features where lax though... his graying hair falling back behind the chair as he had his head back.

She sat looking at him for a little while whilst he slept it was the most at peace she had seen him look but even in sleep she did not think he was truly at peace.

His half fingers twitched slightly along with the facial muscles on the most damaged side of his face. His lips pulled back in a grimace shortly.

She picked up a padd and started to read it's contents it was the one detailing her transferee to this ship and the reasons behind it. She put it to one side she did not need to read that one she knew it off by heart she leaned back in the chair and wondered what she would be doing and where she would be now if that had never happened.

QaDghab stirred a moment... moaning a bit, it sounded almost as if he where in pain. His hand went to his blind eye. his fingers making contact with the eye ball itself without any impulse from him to blink that eye. "Water?"

Sammy walked over to the replicator and got him a glass of cold water "Here" she held the glass out to him. . . . .

He took the glass, wetting the fingers of one hand before splashing it onto his blind eye, rewetting it after it had dried in sleep.

Sitting back down she picked up another padd and continued the worst part of the job, she hated all this reading and fileing it was boring.

"Is... my mate well?"

Sammy sat up and looked at him she did not expect such a question from him as he had accepted his gifts back he had accepted her offer of ending their relationship. "Why do you care, you accepted her offer to end things between you"

"I did not..." He said tiredly.

"You accepted the gifts back, which she offered to return and to end the relationship to free you. You took them without a second thought"

"I accepted her request, not her offer."

"What is the difference her request was for you to take your gifts and end the relationship, you accepted so she is no longer yours you also made it quite clear that you regretted ever mating with her at all"

"The fury hit quick and he jumped up sending an object flying wit the sweep of his hand. "I Loved her you fool!!!" He realized what he done but at this point he didn't care. Gritting his teeth he started to leave.

"go on leave run away and hide because you can not face the truth of your own words , i asked you "Do you have a message for my mother other than how much you detest the fact that you ever mated with her, or the fact that from your short union came a half-breed of your blood" Her tone had become even colder and her eyes were just as cold. when I returned the gifts to you your only answer was "No. Nothing has changed."

His face fell... that hurt. "I didn't want you to know ho much..." He trailed off... how much he did not wish to let her go.

She growled "So to hide your feelings from me you preferred to hurt her further, she has waited over 20yrs hoping to see you again or to at least hear from you and the only message you had for her was one of rejection"

"She is the one who requested it!!!" He snarled. He punched the wall... and then head butted it.

"She requested it because she loves you so much that she is prepared to lose you if that is what you want. I have never seen my mother with another man, she has always said that there was only room in her heart for one man. She also said that she had lost him a long time ago and her heart with him."

"I have never desired another after her! I left because I had to." He snarled and turned his back on her, which was an insult by Klingon custom. But he was confused, angry, and upset at the moment.

Sammy was starting to lose her temper he had done nothing but insult her since he arrived, and even now he still felt the need to insult her. "You need not expend your energy in insulting me old man, I already know what you think of me of how much my existing shames you. Quite frankly I am starting to tire of the constant insults."

"Then do something about it 'Earther', release me to the gates of Grethor..." He said bitterly, tiring of this.

"Why should i give you the gift of death, you have made it clear that I mean nothing to you and never will."

"Because you will never have to deal with your bastard father again, and you will be released from the dishonor I brought you.." He said bitterly as he held out his dagger.

She walked over to him and took the dagger from his hand "If I was to give you the gift you ask for I could never face her again" she re-sheathed his dagger at his belt "She is already ashamed of me because of my actions that led me to be demoted and sent here to rot, I will not give her reason to be even more ashamed by me. Find someone else to kill you because I can not." she turned and walked back to the desk and sat down all her anger fading with the renewed since of shame for the pain she caused her mother.

He sighed and set down heavily in the chair again. "I did what I had to do. To keep her safe."

"You should of said something to her given her the choice of being safe or being with you" She said in a quiet and sad voice

"Perhaps... but the past can not be changed."

"No it can't but then she does not yet know that you accepted the gifts and your freedom from her, I have not had the time or heart to tell her"

"I did not understand? Why did she request it?" He sighed.

"Because after all these years of not hearing from you she thought it was what you wanted"

He just shook his head... and hearing the voice again he was already on edge and felt like ripping into his mind and pulling Damok out himself..

She looked at him and sighed "What do you really want me to tell her, I don't care on your thoughts on me only what you want her to know"

He sighed, "That I still love her. That I do not really want to end this.... I want to see her again. I lost touch with her to long ago."

"Ok I will contact her and give her your message, I will leave the rest up to her I will tell her she can contact you here if she wants to"

He nodded with a sigh and turned to head out... as he did he ran straight into the door frame.

She stood and went to him, "come on we still have our patrol to finish, and it always ends in the bar for break"

He sighed... "I can't see real well right now..." he admitted.

"Then sit down and I will continue with the reports until you can" she offered him her arm to guide him back to the chair

"No..." He got up and headed towards the door again.

"Have it your way I am tired of arguing with you" she sighed he was just so stubborn

"I thought we were on patrol?" He asked when he realized she was not with him.

She just shook her head and left the office locking the door behind her and went with him to continue the patrol.

JP
Ensign Sammy Jo Swan
Assistant Chief Security/Tactical
USS Horizon-A
Taskforce 58

&

[Jackie Clawson]

OFF:
Holder place for a post that I've yet to finish. >.>

[Jackie Clawson]

OFF:
Kicking things up a notch…whoever’s around; I know a few are on LOA due to this being exam season and whatnot.



And our XO is on an ‘ELOA’ so I’ll need help getting things going on here. Please bear with me, I got a few things happening IRL and off on the side as well ^^ Hence me not being on IMs that much.

ON:


<<USS Horizon – Next Morning>>

J'al walked through the corridors of the Officers Area towards the Captain's quarters. He was hoping to get her to check out what he had managed to acquire on their visit to Starbase Bravo. Finding the right door, he rang the chime to get her attention. He knew that if she got on the bridge first, she'd be there all day, so if ever there was a time to do this, it was now.

Jackie's ears flickered a little as she heard the chime, clipping her rank pips to her collar and grabbing a PADD, the Caitian headed for the door.

"Personal escort to the bridge now?" Jackie asked with a sly smile. "Klingons throwing deathmatch challenges ?" Jackie chuckled lightly indicating she wasn't serious as she waved the other Caitian inside.

J'al walked in and immediately noticed the size of the room was twice the size of his, maybe even a bit larger. Only fair, he supposed. "Morning, Captain. And welcome back from the tournament. I didn't get a chance to really say that yesterday."

"Yes, well, things have been a bit hectic around here I'm sure" Jackie replied holding up the PADD. "new transfers, new experiences, new orders , new... " she paused shaking her head a bit not quite sure what to say, "hell of a week, eh?" she smiled.

"Nothing too extraordinary. A few interesting occurrences since yesterday morning, but things could be a lot worse." he said, standing by the doorway and feeling slightly uncomfortable at entering.

"My sister mentioned that she got a chance to talk to you once or twice. Said you reminded her of our other sister L'anna. I suppose I can see it. She even said you two got paired up for a match. That must have been quite a sight, she doesn't let up too easily, and from what I've seen, neither do you." he said with a slight chuckle, thinking back to the incident with the Doctor.

Jackie chuckled, flipping the PADD up in the air and snatching it before it came down.

"That I don't let up too easily, you should know from personal experience, Lieutenant Grenn" Jackie said throwing the other Caitian a sly smirk. "Just because I'm older and have these..." she indicated her pips, "doesn't mean I'm even thinking of slowing down" she said, "if anything, quite the opposite" she spoke, 'especially after the tournament' she thought throwing a sideways glance to nowhere in particular it seemed.

"Now c'mon, I gotta get to the bridge before they report me missing or something" she said leading the way outside. "enough slacking off on my part, I think."

Following her out, J'al stopped outside the door as she took a step in the other direction.

"Actually...." he said, motioning with a hand "Can you spare about 15 minutes? I wonder if you could take a look at something in the shuttle bay for me really quick." he said, keeping a composed face and inviting her to head in the opposite direction to one of the rear turbolifts.

"Can't this wait until afterwards? I really have to get to the bridge; I've not been there in hours" she spoke giving J'al a quizzical look.

"It's quite important. And I'm sure that of anybody on the ship, the Captain has the right to walk in less then 15 minutes early from time to time." he said with a grin.

Jackie let out a small sigh , "Oh all right, I suppose fifteen more minutes won't kill anybody." She said, "I hope..." she added as an afterthought as she switched directions and followed J'al. "What've you got?" she asked. "Another Klingon exchange officer...?" she queried half jokingly as she fell into step with J'al.

"If we had another one of those, I'd have to get transferred....." he said with a slight grumble. "The big one with the twitchy eye started counting things when I saw him. Then he compared me to some kind of Klingon cat. All in all I think it was a pretty good first meeting." He said as they entered the turbolift.

"At least he hadn't stumbled into your quarters," Jackie responded, vaguely recalling her first encounter with QaDghab, 'whilst you were.... tipsy' she thought to herself dryly; at least she had enough sense not to throw anything at this one.

"Though he was nice enough to give me a case of real raktajino, that should allow me to stick around on duty longer" she chuckled. "I'm quite... curious about a few of our crewmembers at the very least" she remarked, nodding a hello to a Petty Officer and flashing a small smile her way as the two Caitians passed the crew member.

A few minutes later they exited the lift down the hall from the Shuttlebay. They walked in, and J'al led the way to the left and behind the main docking area to the shuttle hold. As they turned the corner, the "acquisition" that J'al had made came into view.

"Yeah, some guy was able to get this from Starbase Bravo. He must be quite skilled at negotiations to get it for a few mystery pieces from Engineering that the CEO might not notice are missing for a few weeks." J'al said with a slight smile as they both looked at the complete spaceframe of a Rogue Class fighter that J'al had managed to finish getting together about an hour ago.

Jackie gave the frame a once over before walking around it and running a hand over the frame tracing it as she checked it out closer. The Caitian hadn't said a word for a long time as she took a closer look at the frame of the fighter. Finally she looked over at J'Al and gave him a short grin, her eyes twinkling with a hint of something that was rarely seen in the Caitain's eyes.

"Its a start, I gotta give it that. I figure if we're going to do this, then we need to do it right. From the non-replicated frame up." he said, walking around to the other side and grabbing a PADD off the shelf.

"Well you know them Intel types." she spoke "they've got a way with words...smooth talkers" she noted, "quite sneaky too" she said, recalling how Taylor lured her to the Tournament. She shook her head smirking.

"And yes we do need to do it right. I wouldn't go for anything non-replicated." she said, running a hand over the frame once again; the Caitian almost looked like she was caressing the frame, "this'll be a long time project, considering how often I'll be off duty," she smirked, "with the recent changes, I can't really afford to take anymore time off than I did last night" she said, still silently chiding herself for agreeing to go along with Falco.

"Well, it'll be worth it." J'al said, walking around it as well with his hands in his pockets. "I have been talking with Lt. Barnes to get a warp core in this thing. I figure he should be the one to get that installed. We could probably do it, but better to have an actual Engineer I suppose."

“Mhmm..” Jackie murmured as she ran a hand over the frame, “Warp core breach isn’t how I suspected I’d be going” she replied, chuckling a bit, “my you’ve been busy in my absence, Grenn” She noted. “Guess it’s a good thing I got catnapped, gave you guys some rest as well” she said, still looking over the frame of the fighter her mind already racing with what needed to be done and added before the fighter could even be considered a fighter.

"There is one other thing I was hoping to talk to you about, since we have a minute." he said as he watched her examining the frame. "I still have my pilot certification, but only up to a Runabout. I could fly a ship like the Horizon if I had to, but it would be a rocky ride. And I don't think Starfleet would appreciate it too much. On that note, I wanted to see about a transfer to Helm. After proper training and certification of course. And the approval of the Commanding Officer. If I'm not mistaken, an officer of your rank can approve it, and one with your certifications can set up and judge a certification routine based on Starfleet's general qualification requirements. It would mean I could stay on the Horizon as CIO during it too, so you wouldn't be short a Department Head.

Jackie looked up giving J’Al a curious look for a moment.

“I go away for 5 days and everybody wants to change everything around here. How typical. “ the Caitian smirked crossing her arms on her chest as she thought his proposal over. She shook her head, throwing a glance at the fighter frame. She gave it some thought as silence fell between the two Caitians.

“All right,” she said after taking in a breath of air, “How long has it been since you’ve flown anything other than a runabout?” she queried.

"Well, 4 years ago on the Yorktown I had to take over for helm for about a half hour. The helm officer was hurt, and I happened to be on the bridge. Captain Johnson told me to take it because we had to beat a hasty retreat from the area. It was a bit of a bumpy ride as I had to rejudge the movements for a Carrier Class ship as opposed to a Hornet." he said, referring to the small and agile Hornet Class Fighter.

"But I liked that feeling. Controlling the whole ship, the challenge of keeping everything balanced, and the whole experience. I've tried it on the holodeck pretty often since then, as doing it for real is out of the question without a certification or emergency. I've also put a lot of thought into it. Intelligence isn't for me; I joined because they liked me for some reason. I just hate being behind a desk and getting reports, checking in on the latest developments, and just being a normal worker. I need to get back in the pilot's seat. I bet you understand how that feels. Heck, I know you do. I remember a stubborn pilot that I faced that didn't want to get beaten by some Starfleet Rookie still in flight training." he said with a grin.

Despite the outcome, that air battle against Clawson was one of the best tactical combat experiences he had ever had. Including the whole war and those pesky Jem'Hadar Fighters. To Starfleet he had been a rookie, but he put in 5 years before joining them in the Caitian Military and in the Dominion War.

Jackie smirked slyly as the two made their way out of the shuttle bay and headed for the turbolifts.

“Once a pilot, always a pilot” she spoke. “and hey, I wasn’t stubborn…was just keeping things real and keeping you on your toes” she said, “no point in ‘faking it’ in a training scenario; enemies never fake, they always play for real” she said.

“Should’ve seen me in the academy.” She shook her head, “now *that* was….” She trailed off for a moment as she thought about it, “let’s just say, I kept things interesting.” She smirked, “human males, especially pilots seem to have that… ego aspect.” She shook her head, “especially around females who they have no chance with” Jackie smirked shaking her head.

She clicked her tongue against her teeth, “But yes, flying a starship is nothing like flying a fighter.” She said, “Allright, schedule some holodeck time in a couple of days; I got a few training programs I’ve done up especially for training; show me what you got and we’ll take it from there.” she spoke.

"Thanks, Captain." J'al said, as they entered the turbolift to head to the bridge for their shift.

OFF:

BTW, Alaia and Robert, don’t worry, finish off your JP , I’ll merge it in with this thread later on so it won’t be out of place in any way.

Feel free to move things onto the next few days folks and tag me for a JP or two. I know K’Vok and I need to do one or two.

JP by J’Al Grenn and Jackie Clawson

[Alex Chadwick]

ON:<Runabout Yellowriver>

Alex looked down at the data padd in the seat next to him.He still couldn't believe where he was being assigned.The orders had come quicker than he anticipated.He had just enough time to pack his gear and get aboard the yellow river to rendezvous with the horizon in time.

He knew the admiral was just expecting a new replacement officer.Unaware who it was untill there arrival.Alex smiled at the thought of serving with clawson and what was going to be his first starship posting ever.His mind started to drift to jefferson and his continued rage toward taylor.....

"Better knock off the brooding and get some shut eye for tomorrow." Alex yawned and engaged the autopilot as he stood and headed for the rear passenger cabin.Looking forward to the adventures ahead.

OFF:Up next trouble with the doctor.....or...Exit the mojo enter the bad azz mofo. ;)

[QaDghab]

(off: takes place after K'Vok's duty shift)

ON:
QaDghab had a crazed look as he entered a set of quarters... his mind working off a scene in a battle field. It was cardassia again, and it was the time in which his killed without mercy. He was entering a Cardassian home... the family was there... he began searching for them.

K'Vok entered his quarters, his hairs raised off the back of his neck. Someone was in his quarters. Unsheathing his d'k tagh, he stalked forward, "Identify yourself!"

A crash was heard in one corner and aggressive yelling in tlhingan Hol. The lights came up and QaDghab could be seen standing there with a lamp held by the neck and yelling at it.

K'Vok walked over in to strides and grabbed QaDghab by the shoulder, spinning him around and punching him in the face. "GET OUT OF MY QUARTERS!"

QaDghab responds as if being attacked by an enemy, he used the first available weapon he can get... He smashes the lamp in his hand against K'Vok's head, and steps back spitting blood out.

K'Vok staggered back, cursing a lot. "Piece of bak'ta!" K'Vok spat as he held his head, groaning. Then he slammed QaD into the wall. "What is wrong with you?!"

QaDghab's eye moves around looking at something past K'vok's shoulder as he tries to get unpinned. "Let me go! They must die..." He hissed, "Cardassian bastards, must die!" He sends his head forward into K'Vok's face. His breathing heavy.

K'Vok stepped back, cursing again, "THERE ARE NO CARDASSIANS HERE!" K'Vok grabbed a paperweight with his free hand and slammed it into QaDghab's face.

A cry of surprise and pain came from him as his hand went to his busted face, and then rage as he grabbed K'Vok by the collar and sent him flying towards the wall. Then just as quickly collapsed into a chair, gasping.

K'Vok grabbed QaD and growled, "I'm going to kill you."

QaDghab simply stared blankly at K'Vok. He didn't seem to concerned. Then he head butted K'Vok, almost making it a dare.

K'Vok growled and hit QaD again, knocking him out. "petaQ." K'Vok spat, growling, then grabbed him and pulled the man's body out to drag him to the corridor and dropped him there.

When he awakened, he was disoriented, but no longer in delusion. He realized he was in a corridor. He pulled himself up and limped into the corridors, thinking he might have passed out drunk outside his own. He got a nasty surprise...

K'Vok's head snapped around when the door opened, "THERE ARE NO CARDASSIANS HERE!"

QaDghab frowned, "I know that." He winced as he wiped blood away, and then stared at his bloody hand as if he didn't knew where it came from.

"Then why go into my quarters twice?!"
He took a moment to look around the room with his good eye, though he found it difficult to see threw as well, as it was swollen. "I thought they where mine..." He grumbled.

"When was I in here before?"

"Five minutes ago!"

He frowned once more, a look of confusion on his face, and then he started to turn and left.

JP

K'Vok ne'
Chief Operations Officer

and

[Sammy Jo Swan]

As QaDghab stumbled threw the cooridor, his vision got worse as his eye swelled shut on his busted face. before long he was running into passerbys who he was unable to see, even knocked down a young girl who he wasn't able to see. He paused there and attemped to help her up, only to have her run crying. He went on, trying to figure out where he was...

Sammy was heading back to her quarters after a 20hr shift she was tired and a little cranky, as she walked towards her quarters she was passed by a young girl crying. She continued along the corridor towards her quarters she was 5 doors from there when she spotted someone she knew and he looked to be having problems, she walked up to him and stopped him looking at his blood covered face she shook her head. "Can't you keep out of trouble for even 10 hrs"

He tried to look at her, though he couldn't see more than a dark blurry hailo. he reached out and put a hand on her shoulder, trying to steady himself.

"Leave your hand there and lets get you to your quarters and cleaned up" she slowly turned and started to walk to his door.

He allowed her to show him where the quarters where and was surprised to find he hadn't been far. Yet desite being guided he stil managed to run into the door frame.

She winced as he thudded into the door frame but continued into the room, she guided him to the nearest chair and sat him down. "Ok what did you do this time and am I gonna get a report about it on my desk"

He shook his head slightly, regreating it immediatly. "Not sure... I think entered someoes' quarters again."

"Well from the look of you it was either K'vok or someone else on this ship fights Klingon style, I just hope he conciders the whole thing over with"

He grimced at the mention of K'Vok and then from the sharp pain that was felt when that part of his face moved.

She grinned "So it was K'vok, then you are lucky he was not in a bad mood" she walked into the bathroom and got a towel and a bowl of water and came back to start cleaning him up.

He laid back in the chair, his breaths still gasping as he did not fight her, and would almost think he was asleep if wasn't for the breathing.

She could not beleive the amount of trouble one man could get himself into in such a short time. She finished cleaning his face up and cleared the water and towels away. "You want a drink"

He did, but he didn't say anything, instead laying there with his mind wandering.

As he did not reply she headed for the door to give him the privacy he needed. "I will be next door if you want me for anything"

"Stay." He said barely loud enough to be heard.

She turned and walked over to the sofa and sat down. "As you wish" she sat back and tried not to fall asleep as she waited for him to speak.

"These quarters are to big for one warrior..." He said kind of distantly.

"They are just standard size quarters" she looked around he did look out of place alone in them.

"For the federation perhapse... I never understood why they wasted so much on extra space." He sighed, "On a klingon ship, our quarters would not be half this size, and we would have another warrior sharing them, unless we where the Commander of the ship.

"On this vessel all officers have thier own quarters normally only the enlisted crew share"

"It does not matter, the quarters are to big for one warrior. 'This', could be a good set of barracks for a weHwI' squad."

"Well you will have to get used to all this space, as an officer you get your own quarters"

He blew out a breath of air in frustration. "I do not need this extra space."

"Then what do you wish me to do" she sighed

"Stay." He said simply as he started to get up and moved blindly to the counter where some chech'tlhuth sat.

"Ok I'll stay for a while" she closed her eyes and tried to emrty her mind she was getting a headache from all the stress he had caused her so far.

After a few moments of searching around he found it and came back. Then made an attemt to sit in a chair, only to quickly find that it was occupied.

She jumped as he sat on her lap bringing her back to reality and where she was.

"Ok, I already agreed to stay you don't have to sit on me" she gently pushed him off her into the empty seat next to her.

He sat in the next seat and offered her the first drink.

She took the bottle and took a long drink before passing him the bottle back
He took a long drink himself and sighed, becoming relaxed in his seat.

"Why do you want me to stay"

He shrugged, "Your better than Damok."

"Is that meant to make me feel good you telling me I'm better company than a dead cardassian"

"I think so." He said with a coughing laugh.

"Give that bottle over here it is the least you can do after that comment" She laughed as she said it.

He handed it over, belching slightly. Half the bottle was already gone.

She took another drink from it and handed it back "You should try and make some friends aboard this ship or you will go mad with no-one but me and Damok to talk to"

"To late for that I think." He said with a snort. "Live over half a century with a mad cardassian in your head, you become mad to..." He said with a sigh, rubbing his head.

"You are not mad just slightly unbalanced I am sure the doctor can help you if you give him the chance."

He snorted again and grabbed the drink, emptying it. Then he started to get up for more, he stood a moment, wobbling and then flopped right back into the seat. "Slightly unbalanced.." He said only he was refering to his attempt tp get up.

She just sat there and laughed at his comment.

"Want more?" He asked.

"What the hell I can do with out sleep for a day or two go for it bring on the next bottle" she laughed

He started up again, he still wabbled, but regained his footing as he made his way over to the counter again. This time he came back with a case of them.

Oh boy she thought seeing the full case looks like i'm in for a long night "Ok so if I am going to stay here and get drunk with you what are we going to talk about"

"What do you want to talk about?" He asked. "Damok hates Chech'tlhutlh, he shouldn't be to bothersome."

She shrugged "I do not know" she opened a new bottle and took another long drink.

"I have not done much in my life so far except get demoted and moved here"

"Why demoted?" He asked as he took a long heavy drink.

She sighed and took a mouthful of drink "Because I almost killed my previous commanding officer"

He grunted a moment. "Did he dishonor you?"

"Not so much me as some one close to me" she was not sure she wanted to tell him it was her mother that had been insulted

"Who?" He already had an idea.

She sighed "He was drunk and angry because i turned him down, so he started to insult my mother"

"So you defended your families Honor." He shook his head a moment, "If you had been in the Klingon emire, that would have been your right.

"But I am not I am in the federation and as such he was entitled to have me court marshalled for attempted murder" She lifted the bottle to her lips and drank deeply from it.

He grunted, shaking his head again. "You should find an instructor, someone to teach you of your heritage."

"I only know two others of my race, one is K'vok the other is you. Who do you suggets i ask" she said sounding slightly disgruntled.

He frowned a moment, thinking. "K'vok."

She laughed then drank some more of the Chech'tlhutlh "I am sure he will be very happy to teach me, I'll just walk up to him and say my father said I should ask you to teach me of my Klingon heritage" She laughed again

He blew Chech'tlhutlh out his nose, groaning a moment as he hands went to his sinusis. "Surely you would not tell him such thing?!"

"Do not worry I will not reveal our conection to anyone, I would not want to embarress anyone" she continued to drink deeply from the bottle until she emptied it.

He sighed a moment, wincing as he waited for his sinusis to stop burning... then he drank down the last of that bottle before reaching for another.

She threw the empty bottle over her shoulder and picked up another "I will find a way to continue my education alone as it has always been"

He sighed, "You could make a much better warrior than me. But instructing yourself is not the way."

"There is no-one else I will trust as you will not teach me"

"And you trust me? I am not worth your trust in that matter."

"You will see one day that you are very much worth my trust "

He snorted in disbeliefe. "Why? I have done nothing to earn it."

"You have stayed loyal to my mother even though you did not have to, you could of said that it was over between you and lived your life with someone else but you didn't"

He was silent on that. "Have you spoken to her?"

"Not yet I have only just come off duty after 20hrs, and i do not know what to say to her"

He grunted... "Will you give her my message? Let her know I would like to speak to her soon.

"Yes, I will tell her" she took another drink "I just do not know how she will react"

He nodded and tried get up, only he was to much off balance. "Go to the cabinet over there."

She put the bottle down and stood she was slightly off balance but not enough to stop her doing as asked "What do you require from the cabinet"

"It is what you need. Go there, open it, and look in a ivory box"

She opened the cabinet and took out the box and returned to her seat she took a drink before opening the box.

He took a deep drink and listened to her open it, as he still could not see.

Putting the bottle down again she opened the box, she smiled when she saw the dagger and pendant she had returned to him the other day. "You wish me to return these to her next time we meet or would you prefer to do so your self"

"I am not sure when we will be able to meet, but I want you to hold onto them until a chance comes up for me to give them to her in person." . . . . . . . . "The dagger however you will keep. It is a sign of your family."

She turned to him a look of shock on her face "You . . . . . . you want me to have it" she could not believe what he had just said.

"Yes, a warrior should never be without their daQtagh, it is a part of them."

"You realise if I were to openly wear this then it would announce to all that we are connected, they would work out I am your daughter is that what you wish or do you want me to keep it concealed as i did before" she picked up her bottle and drunk from it to hide her anticipation over his answer.

"That is up to you." He said quietly.

"No it is you who must decide if you wish it to be known by others that I am your daughter or if you still wish to keep it private for now" she sat there holding the bottle as she waited for his answer.

"It is in your hands now. What you do with it, is your choice." He said strained.
He wasn't realy ready for it to be widely known

"Then until we are both ready for all to know I shall carry it as I have since she gave me it, hidden under my trouser leg ready if needed but not on display" she drank deeply from the bottle and sat back after placeing the box carefully on the floor to one side of her seat.

He finished his bottle and grabbed one more.

He had not said anything to her reply so she chose to remain quiet for now as well and drink.

They drank on for some time and then he struggled up, he managed to get to his feet and then suddenly was on the floor at her feet.

She tried to stand and help him up but just tripped over him and landed on the floor next to him "I think I will just sleep here I am too drunk to get to my own quarters just now" she said sluring then just lay there on the floor next to him.

He chuckled lowly... his voice carry a hint of caze but of a drunk kind.

"whats so funny" she said not even trying to move.

"Drunk..." He muttered and tried getting up.

She laughed "Yes, slightly drunk and laying on the floor of your quarters "

He landed on top of her.

Her breath was knocked out of her as he landed on her stomach "Get . . . . . . . .off . . . . . . . me. . . . . . . if . . . . . .you . . . . . wish me. . . . . . .to . . .go . . . . . . . just . . . . . . . .say" she tried to push him off.

He was out cold. His heavy weight pinning her down.

"Fine . . . . . . .I'll stay . . . . . . . .then . . " she said in gasping breaths as his weight crushed her he had one of her arms pinned as well so all she could do was wait for him to wake.

It was about an hour later when he stirred and shifted even further onto her.

She had fallen asleep with him still out cold across her chest the drink finally taken full affect on her too as she snored still trapped by his weight.

When he came to again, he wasn't well, as she soon found out.

She woke to a foul smell and something warm and wet all over her chest it did not take her long to figure out what it was. "####### QaDghab I am going to kick your butt all round this vessel, if you don't get off me right now I am not the floor" Her head was pounding like crazy and what he was doing did not do anything at all for her stomach.

He rolled off, looking rather ill.

She sat up and tore her jacket off and threw it at his head "If drinking makes you this ill you should stop drinking or change your drink"

His stomach was making churning sounds. He didn't know it was the result of cooked meat he had tried to eat earlier.

She stood and slowly walked towards him, then bent and dragged him to his feet. "If you are going to continue being ill do it in the bathroom" then she slowly guided him there.

He didn't have anymore left in him though, he had barlt eaten.

She left him proped up at the sink and stripped off and got in the shower

He stayed in place listening. He had forgoten how to work sonic showers.

"You will need to shower after I have finished, I will show you how the shower works and leave you to it" she spent only as long as was needed to wash the smell away before coming out and showing him what to do.

He had been on the homeworld for a while, having lived sifficently far enough from where acid rain fell he had become accustomed to having water. Or least different for of the shower. He watched her.

She waited for a moment then spoke "OK do you think you can cope with it on your own" she waited for his answer.

He answered, but not in manner she expected, he undressed and ran the shower.

"Good, i did not fancy having to undress and wash you because you were to drunk to do it yourself" she picked up her clothes and went into the bedroom, she lay on the bed and went back to sleep.

He grunted at that as he stood there until he slide down and fell asleep in the shower.

She awoke just over an hour later, the shower was still running so she got up and went to see if he was ok "You alive in there oldman" she waited for an answer.

He didn't answer, being passed out, not only from being tired but wacking his head on the way down.

She entered the shower when she got no answer to find him unconcious on the floor of the shower with a small cut to his head. She shook her head "I can't even leave you to shower alone, what am I going to do with you" She crouched and took his arm and pulled him towards her then with his arm across her shoulders she started to lift him , once she had him almost standing she crouched again and placed her shoulder on his stomach and placed his head over her back then staraighted up lifting him clear of the floor with some effort. She carried him to the bedroom and laid him on the bed covered him with his furs and went and sat on a chair where she could watch over him until he awoke.

Another hour or so passed... then he stired, disoriented not only from the blow to head but because he was not where he last remembered.

"So you are awake again, good do you want some water"

He grunted a yes.

She stood and walked to the table where she had a jug of water waiting for him and poured him a mug "here drink"

He sat up and drank, both hands holding the mug as he gulped it down.

She got the jug and refilled his mug "slow down with this one or you will be sick again"

He did not listen well, dtarting to drink it quickly again.

"I said slow down, I have no intention of cleaning up your mess so the more you make the more you will have to clean up."

He slowed down before finding himself laying back again.

She took the mug and left him to rest, she pulled her dirty uniform back on and started to leave to go next door to get some clean clothes.

He called out. "Do not forget the case."

She did not turn back just shouted over her shoulder "I am coming back I just need some clothes so lay down and rest" she smiled at the thought of carrying the dagger again it had almost become part of her the last few years she had been carrying it , waiting to return it to him. She entered her quarters and changed into a clean uniform then returned to his quarters.

He lay still in bed, his stimach still doing flip flops, but not as badly as before.

She went to him "You want anymore water, or you just wanna sleep"

"I'm not going to sleep." was all he said.

"Then what do you wish to do" She was still tired and her head was still banging like a drum.

He simply shrugged, "Tell me about when you grew up."

"I grew up on starships like this one, which ever ship mother was serving on is where I was she taught me herself instead of putting me into the ships school.
She thought it would be better for me, it was an exciting life for a child being on so many different ships meeting so many different people."

He nodded, she taught you what she knew?

She nodded "She could only teach me so much after that i had to ask someone from the acadamy to teach me what he could, he taught me to use different Klingon weapons and started to teach me of their history"

He listend quietly, then spoke. "Who do you want to teach you?"

She turned and looked him straight in the eye her eyes showed so much of how she felt more than her face ever would. "I wish you to teach me the things I should know to be a good Klingon and a good daughter"

He breathed deeply, his expression troubled. "That is something I wish as well, however, I am not so sure I could instruct you on how to be a 'good' Klingon.

"You are to hard upon yourself vav"

"No, I am not. I am not a Good Klingon, I have not been for years."

"Well you are all I have if you will not teach me then I will continue as I am" She stood and walked out the room, she needed a hot drink she went to the replicator and ordered a glass of Bahgol.

He sighed, "Are you sure, you would want me?"

"I would not of asked if I did not, I am not acustomed to asking anyone for anything" she went quiet as she sipped her drink and returned to his room "Nor am I used to having anyone other than mother to care about, so the choice is still yours do you want me in your life as your daughter or just as your boss"

He was confused at moment, he was not used to having a daughter, and he knew that it could interfere in his job seriously. Still, he still had an ounce of honor left. "I will do my best."

"Thankyou and I will do all I can not to bring shame to you" she sat on the edge of his bed holding her cup and said nothing else.

He sighed, "You may wish to know why I have been hesitant..."

She nodded "I did not wish to ask why incase you rejected me again"

"I can not reject you now! The promise is given, but you have a chance to change your mind if you believe it nesecary.

She leaned forwards and kissed him gently on the brow "You are my father, no matter what you have done in the past that will not change and I will never reject you"

"I am a fool, who has made to many mistakes in the past. Unforgivable mistakes."

She said nothing just listend to what he had to tell her, she did not want to stop him telling his story.

"You know there is more to being a warrior than the fight, correct?"

"Yes, honor is a big part of a warriors life as well"

"Did you know that it is not honorable to attack those who can not defend themselves? In the last resort it may be nessecary, but it is not trully honorable."

She nodded "It is also concidered dishonorable to attack from behind"

He nodded, "I have done both..." He said meeting her eyes with his eye. There was no real remorse there, only a bitterness and concern. "Not once, but repeatedly, and I would do it again."

She did not look away as he might of expected nor did she sneer at him "You did what had to be done in a time of War, I will not turn against you for it"

"It had nothing to do with what had to be done for war." He spat. They are cardassians and do not belong among the living. He said, about that time Damok was making his precense known again.

"As far as i am concerned they should of been rubbed out of existance, they are scum and do not deserve to live" her features became harsh and ugly as she spoke of them.

He met her eye, "I will instruct you."

She heard him but said nothing her thoughts were now back with the one that had taught her before he had aslo been a prisoner of the cardassians and it showed in everything he did.

He bent a moment, his hands going to his head where Damok Tormented him, hair moving to reveal the scaring where the ear used to be, also somewhat odd colored as if it was infected

His movement brought her back to the present "What have you done to yourself, your scar where your was it is infected. How has this happend"

He just shook his head, "Exposed to air." He said with a shrug.

"it needs to be looked at or it could cause blood poisoning"

He snorted, "Blood poisoning? It is the ear, not my blood"

"Funnily enough there is blood in the ear as well , it needs to be looked at and that is final"

He growled, "I do not need it looked at."

"Yes you do, the infection needs to be cleared and the cause found scaring of that age should be healed by now"

"It will heal, it is not new." He grumbled.

"All the more reason it should be healed already"

He seemed confused now, "I do not need it checked out. It will heal on it's own." He said irritated.

"Well whether you think so or not does not matter it will be picked up when you go for you medical" she almost laughed she knew how much Klingons detested federation doctors.

He growled lowly at that, but nothing else was said. He didn't have a good arguement for it.

"So now that I have got your blood flowing and alive again what are you going to do sit there all day or get your wrinkly old butt out of bed" she jumped off and away from the bed incase he went to swat her for that comment.
He stood, wavering a moment, before steadying himself. The swelling of his eye
had fortunatly gone down. He went for the drinks again.

"You had better not get drunk again you are not going to be very popular if you are drunk on duty"

"It is time for duty?" He clearly hadn't paied attention to the time.

"Not just yet you have a few hours yet well about 5 so go easy on the drink"

He didn't respond as he got something to drink and sat at the table. Rubbing his head as Damok spoke to him.

She went and sat with him "He's bothering you again isn't he"

Sighing he nodded, "the only thing I regreat about killing them bastards."

"I am sure there is something that can be done for you, some way to rid you of him for good"

"He had a wife and daughter... His daughter was no more than a year old. This is his vengence."

"If you had not killed them both they would now be hunting you to kill you"

He shook his head, perhapse, but that does not make it better.

"No it does not but it has happend and you can not change it even if you wished to" She paused "You realise that if they were still alive I would make it my priority to kill tham and any of thier line for what was done to you"

"It does not matter!" He snarled. I know I can not change it, there is nothing I would have done to change it, except maybe to kill the bastard first.
She took the bottle from him and drank deeply before returning it "As you say it does not matter"

"What matters is the dang bastard won't shut up even after he is dead."

"That is not something I personally can help you with butthe councilor may be able to"

He suddered in disgust, "All she will do is classify me as nuts." He snorted.

"She has already done that her job now is to work out how to help you, and until she does she will not allow me to put you on full duty"

A bitter look crossed his face. Finally he sighed, sitting down again and rubbing at his missing ear.

"So tell me why were you realy sent here"

He grunted, "I told you already," he grumbled.

"I know what you told me but it is not normal for them to place someone they do not trust in such a position"

"They normally send you somewhere you can cause no problems for them"

"Then take it up with them!" He snapped. It is normal for them to kill them iif nothing else. They sent me here/ As far as they are concerned, I am out of the way."

"I did not mean to anger you" she looked away from him, when would she learn to keep her thoughts to herself.

He sighed... "You did not... I am already angery..."

She just sighed and stood " I should leave you to rest before your shift begins" she started for the door then stopped to pick up the box.

He rubbed the scar at his ear again as he called out, "Home much time left? Am I still restricted duties.

"You have 4hrs left before your shift and yes you are still on restricted duties, there is nothing I can do about that until the councilor changes her recomendations"

He didn't get much answer out as he rubbed th place the ear was feircely as it was itching a lot.

"either leave that ear alone or go to sickbay"

"The ear is fine, he muttered stubbornly.

"Then leave it alone" she grinned

He put his hand down, but not long after he was twitching, and then found it back as it was irritating.

"Last warning father dear stop rubbing at that ear or I will drag you to sickbay myself"

He grumbled, "It is fine, he grumbled lowly

She got up and walked over to him "On your feet you are going to sickbay now"

He growled, "I am not!" He said stubbornly, knowing that in end she still had power to make him go."

"You are going and you are going now, and quit growling at me or I will make it an order"

She paced for a moment "And i will have you escourted there and back"

He glared at her, and muttering turned to go back to the bed room.

She followed him to the bedroom to see what he was planning on doing.

He found the bed and started to lay down for some extra rest.

Seeing him lay down she snapped "Fine if that is the way you wish to do this that is the way it shall be, make sure you are dressed and ready when I return you are to report to sickbay in 10 mins and that QaDghab lagh is an ORDER" she turned and left his quarters entering her own she put the box down opened it and removed the dagger and placed it in her boot. She then tidied her apperance and returned to his door this time instead of walking in she pressed the chime.

QaDghab listened this time, though it took him longer than 10 minutes to get ready, and he was half dressed when he answered the door.

Her eyes were afire with anger "I suggest you hurry and finish dressing you are late" she said nothing else and did not enter

He finsihed, with his upper armor missing, but still adiquatly dressed. Then stood ready.

Finally he steped out the door..

She looked at him and nodded she still said nothing just started walking towards the turbolift.

He was hesitant, but he did follow.

She waited for the lift then entered it with him "deck 5" the lift started to move

He kept quiet, except for the occational mutter as his minded drifted off.

She ignored his muttering and exited the lift as the doors opened she did not look to see if he was still with her or not she just headed for sickbay and once she reached it she entered and waited for him.

Breathing heavily he followed and then finaly entered med-bay.

A Joint Post by

QaDghab lagh
Security/Tactical Officer
(Klingon Exchange Officer)
USS Horizon
(http://horizon.taylord1.co.uk/main.php?pageref=bio&crewid=92)
and

[Sammy Jo Swan]

Sammy watched as he walked in once he was in she called the nurse over. "Nurse this officer is here for his medical, also he has an infection around his ear"

Nurse:- "Ok well the doctor is not here just now so i will have to deal with him"

"Thats fine I will be waiting for him just here in case he gives you any trouble" with that she leaned against the wall and waited.

QaDghab sat on one of the beds, his eye looking around the room. Then he spoted the nurse and let out a low growl, shifting uncomfortably.

The nurse jumped back startled at first by his reaction she had not dealt with a Klingon before, even having the security officer there was making her nervous as she was also a Klingon and sounded quite angry. "Now that is not the way to get your medical done and you out of here. . . . . . . . . . " she picked up a tricorder and started to scan him.

"I do not 'need' to be here." He said with a low growl.

She looked at him then to the security officer with him "The tricorder reading s say different, it has picked a few minor problems that will be causeing you pain and swelling also possibly the odd halucination" she scanned him again picking up a couple of other minor problems that could be very quicly and easily sorted out. "You have quiet a few minor problems that i can cure for you now and one or two that may require a second treatment"

He grunted, "What are these, conditions?" he said, not sounding very nice.

"You have a chemical inbalance that will be causeing you either delusions or halucinations if not both, you have arthritis in your knees and hands which if it is not treated will get so bad you will lose the use of your hands. There is conciderable nerve damage around your eye that can also be healed so the the eye lid will work properly and the twitching will stop, and ther is the ear infection as well all of these are cureable with our medicine".

QaDghab didn't know what to say. He felt repolsion at the idea of federation medcan, yet he also knew some of them needed improvement. He covered his lose of words with temper, "Your medical equipment must be malfunctiong. I am fine...."

The nurse sighed "There is nothing wrong with my equipment Sir the problem is with your health" she turned away from him and went to get some things she would need.

He grumbled grumpily and started to get up to leave before she could return.

Sammy saw him move and shook her head "Where do you think you are going to lagh' the nurse has not released you back to duty yet" she still sounded and looked angry

"I am fine." He grumbled, not knowing if she had overheard or not though.

"If the nurse had finished with you she would of told me, as she has not then she is not yet finished with you" she sighed "If you have any complaints about your treatment then you can complain in writing to you section commander"

"It is federation." He grumbled.

"And you are now a federation officer at this moment you are not fully fit to do your duty and as such if you leave here with out being treated that nurce can demand that you are removed from all duty's until you are treated" she walked over to him and looked him in the eye and spoke in a near whisper "Please. . . . . . . do not make this any more dificult for me than you have already" her eyes were sad and almost pleading with him.

He grumbled, then telling Damok to be silent again as he saw the nurse return anf then growled lowly, hesitent about going back.

Sammy just turned and walked back to her place by the wall.

As the nurse re-entered the room she saw Sammy walk away "Is there a problem ensign, I will be finished with him as soon as I can"

Sammy shook her head "No, no problem Ma'aM I was just talking with him whilst we waited for you"

"Good well you just make sure you stay over there and out of my way, I need room to work and I must admit normally you would of been told to wait outside" the nurse turned back to her patient "Now are you going to be the big brave warrior I think you are and allow me to treat you, or are you going to run away from the Federation medicine like a little child from a wild targh"

Sammy said nothing she just waited quietly as she was told

He sneared, and took his place at the bed. It had motivated him thoiugh. "What are you doing?"

"I am going to inject you with something to bring you bodys chemicals back to the correct balance, then I will give you something to deal with the arthritis and the ear infection as well. Finally I will deal with the nerve damage around your eye before checking you over again to make sure I have missed nothing" . . . . "It will all be totaly painless and will not affect any of your scarring, I will also clean up the mess around your head that used to be your nose. It would seem you have been fighting"

He grumbled a moment, "Is there any other way?"

She shook her head "I am sorry but there is not for you to regain the movement and clarity of thinking you should have you need to have this treatment, but I can not force you to have it that decistion is still yours"

He sighed, once more having to tell Damok to be silent in his mind. He couldn't think.

"What do you wish to do, you can leave now or you can stay and be treated and leave in five minites" She smiled trying to make him feel more comfortable.

He looked over at his daighter a moment, trying to read her expresion.

She looked at him her eyes sad and shrugged her shoulders to tell him the choice was his, it was his life afterall.

He sighed, confused. He did not know what he wanted. He finally grunted to give her a go ahead, but it was not an easy decision, and he still found it difficult to focus."

The nurse could see he was not sure about all this, "You will be fine, I will only do what needs to be done the rest will wait until you are sure you want it done ok"

He grunted an affermative with a nod. "Just get it done, before I lose pateince." He growled.

The nurse just nodded and started her work, it took her only a few minites to give him the treatment for his eye to get the eyelid working the rest would take several more treatments to fix the extensive damage, the chemical imbalance was also only a temperary fix. the ear would not cuase him anymore problems of the same kind anyway and the artheritis would be ok as long as he had regular checks to make sure it was not coming back. "Ok that is all i can do for you, you will need to come back and see the Doctor in four weeks time. For now though you may go"

He nodded and got up heading for the door before any other instructions that may be needed could be given.

Sammy turned and followed him out she said nothing she waited for him to speak first.

"I hate that place!" He grolwed tempermentaly.

She nodded "I know" she sighed

"Reminds me of..." He didn't finish... instead stoping in halls and just looking.

"What, what does it remind you of" she was now worried that she had only made things worse by making him go.

"The halls are bright." He commented, distracted from the question. He spoke as if he never noticed before.

She sighed there was no point pushing him he would only tell her what he wished her to know. "They are the same as when we came up here just a short while ago"

No... they are not, they are bright and... metal.

She did not understand what he ment so she said nothing just headed back to the lift and thier quarters with him

He followed, looking... and his mind wandering. He shuddered a moment

She stopped outside his door and waited for him to catch up "there are only three hours left before our shift you should rest for a while"
He noddded and started to go in

As he entered his quarters she turned and started for her own. . . .

He paused, "You may enter if needed.

She nodded and left him to rest " I will be here if you want me for any reason" all the anger had gone from her voice to be replaced with what sounded like guilt.

He had oddly noticed the change in tone and looked in her direction. wandering what problem was.

She felt bad for the way she had spoken to him for ordering him to sickbay and escorting him there to make sure he went, but she could not bring herself to say anything just now.

He did not stay in his quarters, he followed her to hers.

She did not notice him follow her she was diostracted by her thoughts, she should not of treated him that way he was her father not just an other member of the crew. She punched the wall as she walked to the bedroom and sat on the bed staring at the floor.

He sat in a chair in the main room, his back cracking as he did.

The sound of bones cracking made her jump she looked round and saw him sitting there
"I thought you had gone to rest" was all she said.

"You are disterbed..." He commented in answer.

"It does not matter it will pass" she was looking at the floor again not wanting to meet his eye.

"I wish to know why?" He said simply.

She sighed deeply "I should not of spoken to you in that way, it is not the way I was brought up. I was brought up to respect my elders not treat them like dirt."

He grunted, not sure of how he should respond to that, and for moment he was getting tired again.

She took his grunt to mean that he agreed, and that only made her feel worse. "You did your job."

"I did not have to be rude about it, there was no need to allow my temper to cloud my judgement. I could of ordered you with out waiting to escort you there as if you were a prisoner you did not deserve that kind of treatment"

"Your, presence, was welcomed." He said fumbling for words

"That as it may be it does not excuse my manner, if it had been anyone else i would of left them to suffer until they were ordered by the Captain to report to sick bay"

He was quiet a moment. He didn't realy know how to handle this situation. "Enough... you did what was needed."

She said nothing else she did not wish to anger him again instead she nodded her agreement and walked over to the replicator and got a drink "You want a drink of some sort"

"Prune Juice." He said simply as his eyes began to close.

She got his drink and took it to him seeing him dropping off to sleep she placed it on the coffee table in front of him and sat back on a chair to enjoy her Bahgol.

A joint post by

QaDghab lagh
Security/Tactical Officer
(Klingon Exchange Officer)
USS Horizon
(http://horizon.taylord1.co.uk/main.php?pageref=bio&crewid=92)
and

[Amina Jalovel]

There was a sense of great expectations when Lynn had stepped foot onboard the Horizon for the first time. A chapter of her life had closed and now this new chapter was opening up for her. True, the ship would take her even farther from her home, but she would have the opportunities for even greater exploration. The desire within her breast to explore the great unknown was greater than her fear of being alone. Everyone had to leave the proverbial nest and learn to fly on their own at some point in life. For Lynn, the Freighter had been an opportunity to test her wings. Now, here on the Horizon, she would be able to put what she learned to work.

The Science labs were well fitted and this surprised Lynn somewhat. She knew the ship would be far more up to date than the freighter had been, but she wasn't expecting the marvelous treasures that she found within. There were a few peices of apparatus she hadn't seen since graduating from Starfleet Academy. The sight of the labs had put a smile on Lynn's face and a spring in her step. Here she was in her element and it showed. She radiated happiness that seemed to spill over to everyone around her that couldn't help but smile in her presence.

But with such rewards came responsibility. And one of the most difficult things to do was to meet with the Captain of the ship. And this wasn't just any captain but an admiral by rank and a Caitian by species. A species that Lynn had never met before and really had no idea what to expect. She had heard the Admiral being referred to as Killer Kitty and she could only imagine what the woman had done to earn such a title. There would be time enough to find out first hand exactly what she had gotten herself into.

As for now, there was that one thing Lynn had put off doing. Gathering her courage, she headed for the turbo lift and the bridge. She would assume her position at the Science Station relieving whatever officer happened to be on duty. If the Admiral happened to be on the bridge, Lynn expected to get those introductions out of the way as well.

Off:

[Jackie Clawson]

ON
<<USS Horizon – bridge >>

The Turbolift doors opened letting the two Caitians out onto the bridge. Jackie took several steps forward before she stopped to survey her domain. She was gone from the bridge for several hours, and she could tell she missed it quite a lot. Her ears twitched as an ensign with engineering or operations colours called out ‘captain on the bridge’

Jackie gave off a light nod to tell the bridge crew to get back to work as she surveyed the vast bridge of the Intrepid once more before heading to the centre. As Jackie sat in the command chair, she closed her eyes to take in the sounds of the Horizon in order to reconnect to the ship. Patting the arm of her chair a little, Jackie opened her eyes and called up the latest status reports.

Lynn stepped onto the bridge of the ship for the first time. Casually she walked over to the Science Station, not paying a whole lot of attention to what was going on on the bridge. After relieving the Science Officer stationed there, and checking to make sure things were in order, only then did she start to pay attention to what was going on around her. That was when she noticed the Cat in the command chair.

With a smile, Lynn decided it was time to introduce herself. Walking over to the Admiral, she announced herself in a confident manner, although inside she felt rather nervous to be around a flag officer. "Ensign Lynn Morgan, Admiral. I don't believe we've had the chance to meet until now."

Jackie looked up and over at the Ensign, “Ah. The Horizon finally has a Chief Science Officer.” Jackie smiled. “Welcome aboard Ensign. “ Jackie said, extending a hand to greet the Science Officer.

Accepting the pawlike hand into her own, Lynn was surprised by the strength of the Admiral's grip. "Thank you, Admiral. I am very excited about serving on board such a fine ship as this one. My previous assignment was a small freighter. Needless to say, we didn't travel far."

“Well we certainly travel faster, although it depends who’s at the helm” Jackie replied, smiling a little, considering how often she flew the Horizon herself she tempted to push the envelope at times just to put the sleep Intrepid through its paces.

“I’m sure the Horizon has everything you need for your… scientific research. Although who knows how much of that we’ll be doing around the Rayean Sector.” Jackie spoke. “How did you get assigned to the Horizon?” she asked.

"I mentioned to command that I was interested in something that would get me out and about among the stars. The Captain of the freighter put in a good word for me and word came that a position was open on board the Horizon. Naturally, I accepted. Although, I have to admit serving under a flag officer does make one rather nervous," Lynn laughed lightly.

Jackie chuckled.

“I assure you, this is different.” She smirked slyly, still not comfortable being referred to as a flag officer or an Admiral considering how she got there. “I’ll try not to make you nervous too much, provided you do your duty as required everything will be okay” she said.

"I've not had a commanding officer complain about my work yet," Lynn replied with complete honesty. When she was working she poured her heart and soul into her work. Always in the back of her mind she was thinking about her Grandfather and how much he loved the stars. She knew he would be proud of her if he could see her now.

“I'm not the complaining type.” Jackie smiled a bit devilishly. “I’ve read over your profile, I’m not expecting any trouble from my Chief Science officer” she spoke with a nod, throwing a look at the Operations console for a moment. ‘it’s the Klingon exchange officers I gotta worry about’ she remarked to herself.

"All I can guarantee is that I'll do my best. I should have diagnostics of the relay systems ready within the hour if you'd like to look those over," Lynn said. She had a feeling that Jackie wanted to get back to her work but she hadn't dismissed her yet either.

Jackie nodded, “that would be a good start.” She said, dismissing her with a nod of her head. “Let me know as soon as you have those” she noted before turning her attention to the console at her chair

OFF:

Joint post by Ensign Lynn Morgan
and

[Jackie Clawson]

ON:
<<USS Horizon -- Bridge>>

K'Vok had changed into a new uniform and headed to the Bridge to talk to Kitty. He had stalked her some and was disturbed by what he had seen.That, and he also needed to talk to her about a few other things. Like QaDghab lagh, and also fitting in on the ship, and the counselor bugging him. If the counselor talked to him again, he'd have to use a few physical exclamation points for his verbal sentences.
Stepping out onto the Bridge, the half-breed caught sight of his prey and he stalked over, "Good morning."


Jackie looked up from the console built in her command chair's arm; her ears twitching lightly at the sound of the very familiar voice.

"Good Morning, K'Vok" she spoke, "Reporting for duty?" she queried, looking at the half Klingon half Vulcan male.

"Not quite yet, Admiral. I wish to speak to you about matters." K'Vok replied,eyeing her carefully. "Your ears twitch when I talk to you..."


Jackie narrowed her eyes for a moment before replying.

"My ready room." she simply said as she got up from the command chair and headed that way.

"Speak" she said, facing her Chief of Operations once the ready room doors slid closed behind the male.

K'Vok shifted slightly, looking at the kitty. "You say you cannot take a mate because you are too busy, but you have drinks with Falco? If I am not worthy, say so now, and I will challenge Falco for you, do not lie about your reasons. On other matters, QaDghab is insane."

Jackie slapped her forehead before replying.

"A drink or a few with someone is not an indicator of a mate" Jackie replied, "besides I didn't stay long in the Lounge" she spoke, recalling her somewhat hasty exit last night "and yes, I'm aware GaDghab is..odd." Jackie said, 'who on this damn ship ain't?' she thought to herself.

"It is a dating ritual on countless planets, males asking to buy females drinks. QaDghab will die if he enters my quarters again, I spared him last night." K'Vok replied, standing still as he watched Kitty's body language. "Also, I do not understand...being polite."

Jackie took in a breath before she spoke again.

"I don't think Tauvits is interested in me as a mate, neither am I interested in him as a mate. Mates complicate things a lot" Jackie spoke, "he just wanted to get me off the bridge and off duty for a few hours" she said, "QaDghab entered several people's quarters from the reports I hear so far" she said 'not to mention a personal experience...' she thought. "Polite is a term most humans use when they mean to do things like saying 'please' and 'thank you' when someone does something for you, and other situations. Who told you to be polite?" she queried, quite curious about this one.

"No, no, it's not that I don't know what it is. Why do it? I thought if I tried to be polite, I would better integrate myself with the crew, but it is such an alien concept. So useless, there is no reason to be polite, much more can be accomplished with a barked order than quietly saying something. It makes no sense."

"It makes people... like you better as a person if you're polite." Jackie responded, "whilst yes, much more can be accomplished with a barked order and sometimes it is the better choice, that's not how human and some other societies have been brought up. They take it as a sign of rudeness if you're short and straight to the point with them" she said, "in a Klingon society that's normal, but amongst humans or mostly humans it's not a particularly well liked trait" she said, "humans can be....odd that way" the Caitian responded, "I don't particularly comprehend some of their quirks either"

"It apparently convinced the counselor I was acclimating well. I will not go back to her, though, counselors are dishonorable." K'Vok said firmly. "I will try to not be rude among the humans...weak odd creatures."

Jackie nodded, not being particularly fond of counselors herself. "Counselors have their own... quirks" she said,clicking her tongue against her teeth for a moment. "although humans have a particular need to talk about their... problems with a counselor. Some counselors seem to forget that other species prefer other ways of sorting through their problems" she added ."or what could be a problem to one species, isn't to another."

"The last counselor I knew sent me to a Federation Asylum and lied about who recommended it. It was for House reasons, but those of her House were all dishonourable...except for Q'ol. It is a long story...I am not insane."

"I don't think you're insane, just because you're different to most Klingons, and given your half breed bloodline. Did the Counselor aboard the Horizon say you were insane in any way?" Jackie asked her eyebrows furrowed as she thought this over, "What use was a federation asylum to you?" she asked, quite befuddled as to why would they send a half Klingon/Half Vulcan to a Federation-based asylum in the first place.

"The counselor aboard the Hegh Leng said I was crazy. This counselor has not. As for why I went to a Federation asylum, there are no Klingon asylums, and..." K'Vok shifted slightly, "I retain double citizenship, because of my father's heritage."

Jackie nodded.

"you're not crazy just because you're different, never forget that, K'vok" Jackie said. "and never let anyone tell you otherwise" she added looking at her Chief of Operations, the Caitian could only guess what sort of trouble he went through with the Klingons and the Vulcans given his double heritage. She couldn't really blame him for what happened at the tournament, not after finding out it was his Vulcan heritage responsible. Given that and the differences between Klingons and Vulcans, it might very well appear like he lost his mind and wasn't what one considers 'sane', that the Caitian understood quite clearly. She knew first hand at least part of the emotional battle he had to fight sometimes. and that made Jackie wonder....

She glanced out at the starfield beyond the Horizon for a moment before asking her next question.

"How'd you get out?" Jackie asked, her tone level as her gaze met his.

"Knocked out the guards, stole a shuttle that had come down for prisoner transfer, left it at a Klingon outpost and did odd jobs to pay for lodging, food and bloodwine until I was captured by pirates on one of the missions...the meH'Haj found the ship, after I had escaped their hold, Ta'pez let me join their ship with my old rank."

Jackie smirked, "you know you could've stayed aboard the meH'Haj; Ta'pez took you in, gave you a chance, and you...what're you going to do if he says you're no longer a member of the Cheng House? You need Klingon ties as well..." Jackie shook her head, "although I suppose you can learn things aboard the Horizon that you couldn't aboard the meH'Haj, but..." Jackie rubbed at the bridge of her nose as she gave this some thought, "I hope you're adjusting to things here okay for now. I know the Horizon's not the meH'Haj, and I'm not Ta'pez."

"No, you are not Ta'pez, and this is not the meH'Haj. Ta'pez is taller, wider, not nearly as furry and quite a deal less appealing. While I have less positive things to say about the ship itself, I am no longer Ta'pez's..." K'Vok paused as he looked for the right terran word, "I believe humans say 'henchman', I have a good deal more freedom here, and I won't be pulled into his dishonourable acts again."

Jackie blinked, not quite expecting that kind of a reply. She wasn't sure whether to be flattered or amused or enraged or confused at that.

"Dishonourable..." Jackie suddenly had a thought, was K'Vok aware that Ta'pez had invited her to dine aboard the meH'Haj shortly after their match and the small deal they made of the loser buying the drinks; although the Caitian hadn't expected to win, nor had she expected a trip to the meH'Haj. "You're no one's.... 'henchman' here" she spoke. "You're the ship's Chief Operations officer. and this ship is the flagship of a Task Force."

"Chief Operations Officer, a much better position than krtach, one that fits me. Although, you can always count on me to be your shield-guard." K'Vok smiled a toothy smile, "If you trust me."

"Shield guard?" Jackie smirked. "Tempting offer, but I assure you" she held up a hand as a lone claw swiftly extended itself, "I can take care of myself, surely you've seen proof of that at the tournament" Jackie smiled slyly, putting her claws away for the moment, "but I'll know where to look in case I do need extra... protection" Jackie grinned.

"Very well. One last thing, Admiral, before I go. Would you like to continue your bat'leH training? On the holodeck? I can even teach you the mek'leH."

Jackie nodded, "I've been training in the holodeck for about a decade with the beteH" she spoke, "never intended to stop, especially now that I actually got a real betleH and had a chance to fight outside the holodeck in a setting such as the tournament" she said, "don't tell me you've brought a mekleH aboard" she smirked. "I only used it on one or two occasions" she said.

K'Vok pulled one from the back of his armour, "They're easier to store than a bat'leH. I have another one in my quarters, it's better to fight with pairs, but I can train you with one."

Jackie stared at the blade for a moment, "Err.. right..." Jackie replied, wondering if it slipped her mind that Klingons tended to carry at least some kind of a blade with them given their armour. "Okay, that would be acceptable" she said with a nod. "Schedule some holodeck time later on; be interesting to expand my skills with Klingon weapons other than the betleH" Jackie smiled slightly.

"Very well, Admiral. I look forward to teaching you. Perhaps I'll get to see your wild side again." K'Vok smiled again as he put the mek'leH back. "Calm and controlled doesn't suit you."

Jackie raised an eyebrow, completely taken off guard by the comment.

"Now what the hell was that supposed to mean?" she asked, not sure whether to be miffed about it or not

K'Vok laughed, then looked at her carefully. "It means you're living a facade, and you're tense. At the tournament, you were relaxed, you showed your true self and, that, kitty, is not something anyone should hide."

Jackie raised an eyebrow.

"And how would you know?" she asked. "At the tournament I had no ship or task force to command. i could afford to 'relax' there. Over here it's different, give it a few more days, these are slow times. I assure you, my crew get to see my....true side from time to time" she smiled ferociously, a slight twinkle in her eyes.

"Slow times...slow times are the best time to relax, kitty. We'll talk more at practice." K'Vok finally said, "The Federation has this odd policy about being dismissed, doesn't it?"

Jackie shrugged. "What do Klingons use? Or they don't have a policy about being dismissed?"

"There are things I've yet to catch up with given my recent change in position." she replied."Notify me when you've got the holodecks reserved and ready" she said. "Dismissed Mr K'Vok." Jackie gave the half Vulcan Half Klingon a curt nod waving a hand in the direction of the bridge.

OFF:
Joint post by K'Vok ne' and RAdm Jackie Clawson

[Alex Chadwick]

ON:<runabout yellow river.>

The runabout pulled slowly along side the horizon.Alex looked the explorer over once or twice and activated the com system.The introduction was short and permission to transfer over granted.Alex stood and activated the autopilot for the ship and picked up his gear and stood on the transporter padd.

=/\= "Horizon this is chadwick.Ready to beam over." Alex smiled as he felt the tug of the transporter over his body and the runabout vanished in a shimmer.

ON:<Transporter room one Uss Horizon>
Alex set his gear down and turned to the chief on duty. "Permission to come aboard?"

The chief smiled and nodded. "Permission granted sir.I'll see to it that your gear is brought to your quarters."

Alex extended his hand and shook the chief's. "Thank you my friend.Where might the admiral be?"

[QaDghab]

Some Hours later, QaDghab slipt out of the quarters with his puqbe' (Daughter) still asleep, he carried a few cases of alcohol with him, which soon became a few more as he picked more up from a closet he had hid them in. He knew someone would be searching them areas soon and then not want it found. He wandered on with it until he reached the frighter deck and entered one of the ships, there he drank in silance, his mind thinking, and arguing silently with Damok who was speaking to him.

~It is a shame I no longer have hands, Klingon. I should kill your family like you did with mine. After all if we where to go by Klingon rights, it would be my right of vengence...~

"We have had this argument to many times Damok, it's not going to change. It was my right to kill, it was my vengence to kill for what you done to me."

~My family did nothing to you! My daughter did not deserve to be wrung like a rag! My Newborn could do nothing but cry and you silenced her by death...~

"Be silent Damok, they think I am nuts enough. Even in spirit you are thick headed. I do not give a '****' about your '****' family! They where cardassians and carried your polutant blood in thier veins..."

~They where innoc...~

"So where many of the children and families your race helped kill!!" QaDghab snarled as he took a heavy drink.

~Plah... Must you drink that stuff now!?~

"It's better than Canar," QaDghab grunted.

~Your opinion...~

QaDghab shook his head, thinking baout his daughter, there was something that did bother him about him killing the cardassians.. unfortunatly Damok picked it up.

~*snort* Your daughter will die, soon as I figure out how to control that hand, I will see her suffer like mine did, and everyone will think it was you who did it...~

"You will never control my hand Cardassian! If you even get close I will kill you again!"

~You know very well that the only way to do that would kill you as well.~

"And I will take you with me to the gates of Grethor where I will grill you over the flames for all eternity. A new song will be heard among your people from grethor, how every 'bad' cardassian will be punished in the after life with an eternity of being grilled by the tormented QaDghab." He laughed at his own joke.

The last thing QaDghab got was Damok sighing as the drink filtered out the voice. He took a long moment to look bleary eyed at the small ship he was in. It was quite a frighter, one he never seen before...

[Sammy Jo Swan]

On:

Sammy awoke and found her father gone she was not happy, but he was a free man and did not have to answer to her unless on duty.

She cleaned up and changed into a clean uniform she needed to go see the boss, having beem on board a few days now it was possible she would be in trouble for not having reported in to her yet. She also wished to talk to her about QaDghab and the possibility of them sharing quarters.

Sammy left her quarters and headed for the bridge to see Admiral Clawson . . . . . . . . . exiting the turbo lift on the bridge she looked around and saw that the boss was not there so she went to her ready room and pushed the chime and waited for permission to enter.

Off: Tag the Boss

[Jackie Clawson]

<<USS Horizon – Captain’s Ready Roo>>

Jackie’s ears twitched slightly at the sound of the chime, she looked up from the PADD she was holding.

‘what now?’ she asked herself, letting out a small sigh she gave her head a brief shake before responding.

“Enter” she called out.

Sammy entered and walked over to where the boss was sitting. She snapped to attention and saluted

"Ensign Swan Ma'aM, I am sorry for not reporting in to you before now"

“At ease Ensign.” Jackie spoke waving off the apology, “what can I do for my Assistant Chief Security/Tactical Officer?” she asked as she motioned for the ensign to take a seat.

Sammy sat she was feeling a bit out of place talking to an Admiral when seated but she would get used to it "I would like to talk to you about QaDghab lagh"

“Did he wonder into your quarters too?” Jackie asked curiously.

Sammy looked shocked "Well yes he has done, has he done the same to you or has someone reported it to you instead of me"

Jackie smiled a bit.

“Found him around my betleH when I came back last night” she spoke, “had an… interesting conversation with him I might say…” she noted.

She shook her head "Don't tell me it had something to do with Cardassia" Sammy was a bit worried now she did not know what to do.

“About that too” Jackie spoke, “Damok specifically. He seems… still bothered by the past. Still stuck in that time frame almost”

‘yet another character the funny farm missed on taking away; or is the Horizon the funny farm…?’ Jackie thought, not really wanting to know the answer to that.

“Which is… understandable given what Cardassians can do to their.” Jackie looked away sharply for a moment, before turning back to Swam and finishing the sentence. “… prisoners” She added, speaking from personal experience there.

Sammy sighed "Ok so you know about that too, if you don't mind me asking Ma'aM what do you intend to do about him. What I mean is are you going to have him locked up or sent for psych evaluation" Sammy had a worried look on her face she knew she should tell her everything but she was not sure she could.

“Ensign Swan, if I had to lock up someone for something like this, I’d have to lock up half my crew given the characters we have aboard” Jackie said a little dryly, yet there was an undertone of a joke in there. “Although I’m sure our Counsellor will have her hands full with QaDghab as well, but I don’t think he’ll appreciate it that well” she said.

“As for what I’m going to do….as long as he can perform his duty and not cause trouble aboard the Horizon, he will not be locked up” she said tapping her claws on the desktop slightly to make her point.

Sammy nodded relief flooding her face "Good I did not wish to lock him up just because he has some problems. When he is on duty he will be working with me, while the councillor is working with him once she clears him for full duty again he will work alone."

She sighed "There is something I have not told you, but before I do I . . . . . I need you to swear to me you shall not reveal it to anyone else" She knew she had no right to ask something like that of her Commanding Officer but she had to keep it a secret for now.

Jackie raised an eyebrow quite curious at such a … demand.

“Don’t worry Ensign, a lot of the things said in between these walls don’t leave the confines of this room unless there’s a damn good reason for that”

"This is a very personal matter" she looked into the eyes of the Admiral "It has to do with QaDghab"

“Personal matter? Perhaps this is something you should discuss with the Counsellor?” Jackie proposed, “unless you believe I really need to know this. In which case I promise I won’t tell anyone” she said firmly.

Sammy nodded "I believe you should know but only because you are my Commanding Officer, I have to state that this was not know when I was assigned here. As you know I was assigned here because you were the only CO that would take me" she paused for a moment to get the words straight in her mind before saying them

“I take all kinds, Ensign” Jackie smiled, nodding for the other woman to go on.

"When I came here the only person that cared about me was my mother there was no other family that I knew of, I . . . . . . I have since found out that QaDghab lagh is my father"

Jackie blinked for a few moments, not quite sure what to say to that.

‘what are the bloody odds?’ she wondered to herself.

“How did this come to.. light?” she asked.

"He has the quarters next to mine, his first night here I heard sounds of violence coming from his quarters, I did not know at the time who was in there. I entered the quarters when no-one answered the chime, before i got the chance to say who I was he attacked me. After a short but fierce fight I managed to explain who I was and eventually he believed I was not an assassin sent to kill him, while we were sitting and talking I noticed his house symbol it was the same as the one on some items given to me by my mother." she took a deep breath then continued "We had not been on good terms since he arrived here, he had done nothing but insult me since he arrived for being half human. We have had many discussions since then and he now accepts me as his daughter, but does not wish it to be widely known yet as he thinks it would put me in danger."

Jackie nodded, understanding to a degree.

“Probably doesn’t help that you’re technically his… boss” she noted. “it’s not a problem if this isn’t known widely” Jackie assured the Ensign, “especially if there’s a reason to believe it might put you into danger” she said, “although, did he justify that claim?” she asked.

"He has powerful enemies that he does not yet want to find out about me."

Jackie nodded, her hands clasped into a triangle above the desktop.

“It seems we all have some kind of powerful enemies that we want to protect our family from” Jackie spoke, her tone almost wondering off a little.

‘So what took you so long to learn it? And at what cost…?’ a thought formed itself in her mind, Jackie looked aside sharply, her features darkening for a moment, she released a low growl before she turned back to Swan.

“Don’t worry. Your secret’s safe with me, Ensign” Jackie said, now smiling warmly, “My crew’s family” she said, “Even with the nuts strewn about”

"My mother refused to tell me who my father was, she was his mate and he left her behind as she could not leave with him straight away. I only found out after we fought he was not happy at first to find he had a halfbreed daughter, he claimed to hate humans and halfbreeds and me most of all. We have had a few fights and also a few long conversations, he now accepts me." looking away from her CO she for a moment she had to think about what she was going to ask next "The other thing I wished to speak to you about are his quarters"

“Seems to be a trend, half breeds not being too accepted in some societies” she noted, “Hopefully the more time you two spend together, the better things will be for you.” She spoke
“What’s wrong with his quarters?” Jackie asked.

"He is not comfortable in such large quarters alone, he wishes to share quarters with me if it is allowed"

Jackie nodded.

“given the circumstances, I don’t see why not. Besides it might bring you two closer” she said. “You have plenty to catch up on I’m sure”

“Thank you, how soon can the engineers adapt my quarters for this purpose"

“What sort of adaptations are you talking about?” Jackie asked, “Get me a list of what you need changed, and I’ll approve it and pass it off to engineering”

“All we need is for another bed to be put in the same room as mine, oh and can all glass items be removed he has a bad habit of smashing them. The furniture will need to be more Klingon friendly." Sammy stood "Thank you for your time Ma'aM, I will do all I can to keep him out of trouble and other peoples quarters"

Jackie nodded, “Very well” she said, “replicate what you need” she said, “let me know if you need anything else, Ensign”

"Thank you Ma'aM, I will work with the engineers to get it all done as quickly as possible" She snapped to attention and saluted again, (it was a habit she picked up on her last ship as her CO demanded formalities when on duty or speaking to a senior officer.) then turned to leave.

Jackie nodded, “good, and Ensign….” Jackie shook her head, “don’t be too stiff, you’ll end up like 95% of the brass staff in Starfleet” she chuckled slightly as she waved Swan dismissing her.

Turning back to face her "Sorry it was a rule my old CO had, I will try and stop. Can I ask how much they told you about the incident that got me busted back down to Ensign"

“Just what’s in the official report” Jackie said, “care to share your side of the story?” she asked.

“I have never seen the 'Official' report, I assume it states that I attempted to murder my old CO and was cleared of that but busted down for assaulting him.”

“Something to that extent” Jackie confirmed, “but I choose not to buy too much into ‘official reports’ sometimes. what really happened?” Jackie asked, “if you’d like to fill me in on that, that is” she said.

"All the senior officers were drinking together LT Cmdr Khan was quiet drunk and tried to chat me up, when I turned him down he started to insult me then when that did not work he started to insult my mother. I warned him to stop but he just got worse with the insults to my mothers honour, I am ashamed to say I lost my temper andf attacked him. It took four shots from phasers set to stun to take me out, by that time the injuries he had recieve were life threatening."

Jackie raised an eyebrow, “can’t say I’ve not done something akin to that in my …academy days” she said. “If anyone tries that with you here, you let me know right away.” She said.

"Oh I will don't worry I learnt my lesson on that one, I got busted down he got promoted and now my mother is stationed on his ship." she snarled the words."but I should go you are a busy woman and do not need me wasting your time with my problems"

"Comes with the territory of being a Commanding Officer, Ensign Swan" Jackie said, smiling, "part of my job is to listen to my crew's problems" she said.

she nodded "I know and thank you" she turned and headed for the door.

As the Ensign left, Jackie’s smile faded as the Caitian fought off a wave of emotion threatening to engulf her. The words she told Swan several momentd before, rang clearly in her ears now reopening old wounds that she thought were permanently closed now.

“It seems we all have some kind of powerful enemies that we want to protect our family from”

‘So what took you so long to learn it? And at what cost…?’ a thought formed itself in her mind once again, Jackie looked aside sharply, focusing on the starscape outside as she clenched her fists and gritted her teeth.

‘at what cost?!’ her mind screamed at her. .

Jackie closed her eyes, two familiar faces forming in her mind, her eyes flew open as she moved to bury her face in her hands, but instead she turned to face the starscape zipping by the Horizon and whispered a few words as a tear slid down her cheek.

OFF:
Gotta torment my own char sometimes, eh ;) Private torment for now.

Joint post by:
Ensign Sammy Jo Swan and RAdm Jackie Clawson

[Grenn]

<<USS Horizon - Afternoon - Intelligence Office>>

J'al had taken the morning to review some of his data he had collected for their new theatre of operations. He had updated maps stored for use, relevant information on the species of that specific area of space that could be pulled up by anyone at any time, and had established an Intelligence line back to HQ for what he would later need that he could not forsee for now.

He was most pleased that that Captain had agreed to start giving him a shot at the training scenerios for becoming qualified for flying the Starship, and a subsequent transfer to Flight Control if he was able to pass. He was sure he would. It had been a while since he was in a real fighter, but you never loose it.

Speaking of which.... he stacked the PADDs on his desk neatly. Checking his messages quickly and seeing none, he closed his terminal and got up from the chair. He grabbed his uniform jacket off a wall hook and left the office, locking the door behind him. He wanted to use the extra time he had earned to look at the new acquisition in the shuttle bay.

<<USS Horizon - Afternoon - Flight Deck>>

A few minutes later, he emerged on Deck 10 and walked back towards the Shuttle Bay's main entrance. He walked down the exterior stairs inside the bay and walked through the cavernous area to a closed hanger door in the back. It led to the garage of sorts that housed some extra shuttles, a Runabout, and had several empty bays for a fighter unit, which the Horizon did not have.

Well.... then had one fighter now. It may be bare frame, but they would get it up to specs. He tossed his jacket onto the workbench and took off his grey uniform shirt. He untucked the Starfleet Grey/Blue T-Shirt that went under the uniform and pinned his commbadge on it. Now it was time to do a little work on this thing.

After a little bit of toying, he hard a groan echoing from one of the spare shuttles that had an open side hatch. It was under repair and had no interior lining at all. His ear flicked as he walked over and peered in, seeing to his own dismay, a sleeping Klingon.

"Dangit. Why would we get an exchange officer in the first place?" he mumbled to himself as he turned to go get something. "Stupid drunk idiots." he thought to himself as he replicated a bucket of water. "If he was a Starfleet Officer, he'd be kicked out for this kind of behaviour." he thought, resenting the man for everything he did and was getting away with.

He peered in again and doused him with the bucket of cold water. "Wake up stinky!" he bellowed into the shuttle, banging ithe empty bucket against the door frame as he did it. "If we have to follow the rules, then you do too!"

OFF: I'm just evil. And agile. I doubt he could catch me if he tried :D

[QaDghab]

QaDghab groaned and slowly got up, stumbling out of the shuttle, he looked at the doubled kitty. "You not smell any better..." He said, sneezing heavily as he stumbled into the Kitty and then into the shuttle and on out towards the door.

[QaDghab]

The next visit from the stumbling Klingon was the bridge, as he carried a bottle of bloodwine with him and another of chech'tlutlh which he drank. He entered the bridge and walked past several staring officers before stoping at K'vok at the ops station. He placed the bottle of bloodwine in K'Vok's lap. "I owe you this."

<tag>

[KVok]

K'Vok took the bottle, reading the label. He grunted in approval as he took the cork off, taking a swig. Then he looked at the other Klingon. "For what occassion?"

(So...who gets to tell them that in the Federation there's no drinking on duty?)

[QaDghab]

"For my.. mistaken... entrance of your quarters." He said as he looked around to see who could overhear, same time taking a drink from his own bottle. "I am curious, what do you think of our commander. She is strong isn't she?"

[KVok]

"She is very strong, and honourable. I am going to train her in the use of the mek'leH." K'Vok replied.

[QaDghab]

He nodded, "That she seems. She should learn well if she alreadys uses a batletH." He said as he walked around and looked over the current Tactical officer at the station. He reached over and fixed the targeting system, making it more accurate before he turned to start to leave the bridge.

[M'karll]

<<USS Horizon - Late Evening - Shuttlebay>>

'That Klingon is psychotic, and people say I have problems,' M'karll thought to himself as he circled the shuttlebay, taking in his babies. The Horizon was smaller than the Enterprise, no doubt there, and likewise had a lesser shuttle compliment. All the same she still possessed four shuttles and four runabouts. Starfleet tradition dictated that the ship's commanding officer got to name two shuttle-type vehicles, the captain's yacht and another shuttle. All other shuttles were named by the FCO or Chief Pilot. Since the Horizon currently had no CFCO (Chief Flight Control Officer) the happy duty fell to M'karll.

He walked among his babies, pondering names for them. Really, there could be no doubt as to the new theme among the shuttles. Pirates. Pure and simple Terran pirate names, from the famous ships of lore. M'karll walked up to the Repulse-Class runabout sitting on the shuttle bay floor and laid his left paw on it, petting the ship almost lovingly. "You'll be my new Antigua," M'karll said, mostly to himself choosing to name this runabout after one of Captain Kidd's early vessels.

Next, M'karll advanced on the Warhammer-class runabout. He walked around the ship and hemmed and hawed to himself before proclaiming it to be re-christened as the Royal Fortune, in a reference to the pirate captain Bartholomew Roberts and his flagship, upon which he was killed by grapeshot.

Next, M'karll approached one of the four shuttles, and after a cursory inspection, declared to himself that it would be redubbed the Sultana as a reference a ship that had once been commanded on the high seas by Samuel Bellamy. The next in the line was dubbed la Concorde, a reference to a ship captured by Blackbeard that he later re-christened as Queen Anne's Revenge. Yet the next was proclaimed to be the Revenge, in reference to Major Stede Bonnet's first pirate command, and one of the few pirate ships to ever be bought legally. The third was slapped by a paw and deemed worthy of the name Flying Dragon after the vessel of the pirate Christopher Condent, who in later life became a successful and wealthy merchant thanks to a French pardon. Finally, the last of the shuttles was called Pearl after the ship of the famous pirates Edward England and John Taylor.

With the shuttles done, M'karll turned his attention back to the two remaining runabouts, a Delta Flyer and a Blackhawk Class. He approached the Delta Flyer first and eyed the vessel, even entering it to look around. Coming back out of the runabout he declared it to be the Fancy to name it after the vessel of the pirate Henry Every, who was also known as Henry Avery, as well as the flagship of Ned Lowe. That left just the Blackhawk. M'karll circled it for several minutes, finally deciding that Ranger was a fitting name for the vessel, in a reference to the pirate Charles Harris.

Having decided on the names for all the shuttles, M'karll made a note of the new names for each on a PADD which he would get Admiral Clawson to sign off on when he reported for duty. Now, all that was left to do was to unpack his quarters and track down J'al and give him the good news.

After convincing the computer to give him J'al's location he was pleased to note that his cousin was very near. Very near indeed. Sidling over to the entrance to the shuttlebay storage area, M'karll slipped silently inside and circled around behind his cousin. Boy, was J'al going to be surprised about what happened next! With a bound and pounce, M'karll tackled J'al and pinned him to the floor applying the famous R'pas Noogie to his cousin's head. "Ahoy, J'al!," he roared happily.

[Grenn]

<<USS Horizon - Late Evening - Shuttlebay>>

J'al rolled backwards upon hearing the familiar voice and feeling himself getting caught. He bent his legs up and back and grasped M'karll by the neck, flipping him forward and onto his back. Before he could get up, he jumped on top of him and sat on his smaller frame.

"I chose the Horizon to specifically get away from you, ya know." he said with a slight grin. What did you pull to get here, Ensign?" he asked, emphasizing the rank a little bit.

OFF: :)

[M'karll]

<<USS Horizon - Late Evening - Shuttlebay>>

M'karrl grunted as he landed on his back with J'al on top of him in the reversal. "Yar, no fair matey," he grunted. Then he gave a big buck and dislodged the lighter weight J'al. "Ye be taller'n me, but now I be the stronger and heavier o' us, matey!" If a deft roll he had reversed their position yet again and recommenced Operation R'pas Noogie on J'al's head. What did he care, after all? They were family, and he was technically still on travel leave until tomorrow, so he couldn't be court martialed or anything, not that J'al would. "For your information, Captain Picard himself pulled the strings after I helped him out in a few tight shuttle-type situations."

OFF:

Turnabout is fair play, Lieutenant. :)

[Amina Jalovel]

Off: Just a short post as I'm kinda stuck

On:

Lynn had been running diagnostics on the various relays even as she continued to gather information. The most accurate information would only be available to the Captain and crew if the systems were running at peak efficiency. Unfortunately, the last scan showed the lateral array to be off by 14%. Quickly she typed up a small report to give to the Admiral. She would also need to figure out what was wrong with the lateral array to make the parameters to be so far off.

The only way to find out was to go to the source, or as close to it as possible and continue to run some diagnostic scans. After sending the information regarding the array to the Admiral, she headed off to figure out exactly what was going on so she could send a follow up report on how to fix the situation. Lynn knew that until she figured it out, this mystery would bother her.

Off:

Tag Admiral, anyone

[QaDghab]

Sammy was sat in the office going through a pile of padds, she had been going through all these reports for the last 6 hrs and was due to start her shift in just under an hour. She suddenly came up with an idea she checked to see if the holodeck was free for the next four or five hrs, it was. Good it was time to put QaDghab through his physical.

QaDghab lay on floor of a set of quarters asleep and smelling of alcohol. He had been drinking this time. Someone arrived an kicked him, before realizing he wasn't waking up and dragged him outside, Was about the time the doors shut that he stirred, blinked at the bright lighting and dozed off again.

She sat in the office wondering just what her father was up to now she had not seen him in over 10 hrs, and with him that was time enough to get himself drunk and fall asleep in someone's quarters.

=/\= QaDghab lagh report to security office immediately=/\=

The tired technician sighed hearing the call over the combadge on the floor and picked it up. "Afraid you will have to retrieve him ma'am. You should find him outside my door."

Sammy was surprised to hear someone else answer his comm. =/\= Ok, I need your name and location of your quarters=/\=

"Ensign Sandy Brown, Last room in the engineering crew quarters."

=/\= Thank you Ensign Brown, I shall be there with a team straight away Ensign Swan out=/\=

Sammy grabbed a couple of the team and left the office, anyone looking at her face just now would think her a full blooded Klingon on the war path. After a short period they arrived at the Ensign's quarters finding QaDghab out cold on the floor out side, she told the two guys to take him to the brig and leave him there to sober up. She pressed the door chime and waited for Ensign Brown to answer.

Brown answered the door tiredly, seeing the Klingon woman he took a deep steadying breath. "Yes... maam?"

"There is no need to call me Ma'aM we are the same rank Brown, now I need you to tell me exactly what happened here" Sammy was trying to keep her temper in check but she was getting fed up with this.

"I came home from work and found him sleeping in the floor here." He said pointing to a spot not far from the door. "Tried to wake him up, but he did not stir, so pulled him out of the room. Then you called and I found his combadge here."

"So he entered your quarters without permission, do you wish to make a formal complaint about it" she took his comm. badge from the officer and waited for his reply.

He shrugged, "It is doubtful he knew where he was going. If could get him to keep sober it should solve it." He said simply, yawning.

She knew it would not solve the problem but she could not tell him that. "if you change your mind come down to security and sign the report and it will be dealt with, goodnight Ensign Brown I apologize for the trouble he has caused you tonight" with that she turned to leave.

He nodded, "Will do." He said as he turned to go to bed.

Sammy headed back to the office she was one very pissed off woman just now and when QaDghab awoke he would find out the error of his ways, she entered the lift and returned to the belly of the beast the security office down on 15.

QaDghab was placed on a bunk in a cell where for a while he stirred in and out, muttering. Then suddenly an Officer got startled as a blood curdling cry came from the cell and he looked in to see QaDghab turned on his side away from him, he could see nothing except that he seemed to be holding his hand to his face. He shaking contacted Swan. "Sir, QaDghab seems to be in some kind of distress." He said mispronouncing the name.

Sammy heard the message and swore =/\= I'm on my way, no-one enters his cell do you understand no-one=/\= she did not wait for his reply she just ran the rest of the way to the office and back to the brig. She told the officer on duty to stay close and keep his phaser on stun and ready. "Do any of you speak even the slightest bit of Klingon" she asked.

Both officers watching the cells shook their head no. "Not enough to understand what he is saying." The one who had contacted her said.

"Ok that's all I needed to know, if I need you I will make sure to call you using common" She let the field down and entered the cell she signaled for the field to be re-instated behind her. She went to his bunk and spoke to him in 'tlhingan Hol' QaDghab snap out of this your are meant to be on duty, get to your feet worm" her anger was showing through in the way she addressed him.

His hand was held over his bad eye and he had an intense expression of pain. "Not my eye!" He howled in tlhingan Hol. "My eye!" He shuddered... He didn't sto hear her.

When she heard his words her next sentence died on her tongue, she knelt beside him and whispered in his ear "vav you are safe now it is a dream, it is time to wake now come back to me and leave the past" she took one of his hands in hers and held it tightly.

He gasped as air blew in his ear canal, it was the side his ear was missing on. He sense her hand on his and he grasped it a moment before letting go and slowly moving.

She watched him with concern written all over her face, her back was towards the guards so they could not see what she was doing "vav are you alright"

"No..." He said wearily. "I wish to perform Hegh'bat... will you bring me my blade?"

She stood in shock "No" was all she said.

"I am no more than a hindrance to you. Bring me my blade so that I can release you from the burden I have become. This is not a way for a warrior to live."

"No. . . . . . . . You will do no such thing, I will not allow you to give up. "

"There is nothing but disgrace left here for me. Let me go, please." He now begged, one last time, knowing after this that the discussion was final.

she turned and spoke to the guards "Leave us I will talk to the prisoner alone" the guards looked a bit worried about leaving her then they looked at her face and turned and left. Turning back to him her eyes filled with tears "vav I have only just found you, please do not ask this of me, fight this illness I will help you I will be right here for you. Please do not give up your fight do not leave me "

He sighed looking down at his clothing which was rumpled and showed how poorly he took care of himself. He wandered what his friend would think of him. Last they had met had been one of his few days he had been not so tortured. He had not told his friend everything of course. That since the war he had lived with a dead Cardassian in his mind. It had been good to get away from the House, to finally have some use, only he found himself often revisited by the nightmares. He had degraded since arrival. He looked at his daughter and finally nodded. Though same time a deep pain was felt in his chest.

She fell to her knees and buried her face in his lap crying like a small child "vav I am so sorry I am weak, you need a strong daughter not a weakling that can not even give you the release you ask for"

He watched her and shifted uncomfortably. "puqbe'... please... get off my lap. It is I who is weak. Not yourself."

"If I were a Klingon I would of done as you asked, I would not shame you further by refusing your honourable request" she sat back on her heals and looked him straight in the eye

He sighed, "The only shame is what I have become."

"I will help you to fight it to become a warrior once more" she said as she sat there on her knees at his feet. She had stopped crying she had never felt so weak in her life before. "I will do everything I can to help you I swear it"

He sighed, "If you do, you will be stronger than any Klingon. He said, though he knew many would disagree, in a sense he knew that the responsibility would take more strength than a simple blade to the heart. Why am I in the brig." he had only just noticed.

"You entered someone's quarters without their permission again, only this time when they found you they put you out in the corridor. Unfortunately your comm. badge fell off in their quarters so when I called you to report here they answered. They are not pressing charges though but you still had to be kept here until you came round. . . . . . . . . . . ." she paused for a while unsure how to say what else she had to say "I am sorry vav but this time I can not let it go unchecked or there will be talk, you will have a punishment of some kind to pay for your mistake" she could hardly look him in the face as she said it.

QaDghab sighed, "On a Klingon ship I would long be dead by now. Tell me what punishment I have."

"I do not know yet I will see how you cope with the exercise program I have set for you first then we will go from there"

QaDghab grunted, unpleased as he started to get up and waved a moment before catching himself on her.

She caught his arm "Sit back down you are in no condition to go anywhere just yet."

"I am fine..." He grumbled with a faint sigh.

"No you are not you are still drunk and in need of sleep"

He knew she was right, he hated admitting it though.

"I have swapped your shift with one of the other officers, so lay down and get some sleep"

QaDghab sighed and laid down to rest, though he was not very restful.

Sammy left the cell and went back to the main office, she did not put the shield back up, he was not a prisoner as no charges were being pressed.


(TBC)

JP
Ensign Sammy Jo Swan
Assistant Chief Security/Tactical
USS Horizon-A
Taskforce 58

&

[QaDghab]

(OFF: Hope not any problems with a few of the parts in here.)

The main guard went back to guard the cells but stopped as he realized the field was down. "Sir, you are aware the field to his cell is down, right?"

"Yes he is not a prisoner, there are no charges being pressed so just leave him to sleep of the drink and then when he wakes he will be on training with myself and anyone that wishes to question me further ion this."

"Understood." he responded as he went back to his rounds peering in the cell a moment to see the older Klingon twitching in sleep.

Sammy sat at the desk and tried to concentrate on the reports in front of her, but her mind was to busy trying to workout what she could do to help her Father.

QaDghab muttered in his sleep moving a bit and then stirring awake. He knew he would not get anymore sleep, and so slowly got up and made his way to the office, coming in without knocking.

Sammy jumped she had been deep in thought when the door opened, she was just about to shout at however was entering the office without knocking first then saw who it was. "Oh it's you, take a seat and please don't do that again. I prefer not to be surprised like that" she smiled as she said it so he knew she was not really angry with him .

"Should keep ears open. I am not a soft walker."

"I was distracted" she said in her own defense "And you are supposed to be resting" she said blushing slightly.

"Rest is not very restful." He said as he took a seat.

She nodded "you will have to cut down on your drinking before your shifts" she sighed "I am only in charge temporarily until either Kao comes back or he is replaced, once that happens I will no longer be able to cover for you. When like today you did not make your duty shift because you were passed out in someone's quarters"

He frowned, "Last I remember is leaving you in my quarters to go to the freighter bay. It was no where near shift."

"How many cases of drink did you take with you?, and yes i did notice some had gone."

"6 but not all to drink, was putting them in better place to not be found."

Sammy was slightly hurt by his comment about hiding them "You think I am going to do something to them, or take them away"

"No, but I can not guarantee someone else will not find them if they found the stash." He said with a chuckle. "Especially if they knew what it was."

"I do not understand are you saying that you think someone else has been searching your quarters looking for your drink"

"No, I had some stashed elsewhere."

She shook her head "why would you hide your drink somewhere on the ship instead of just keeping it in your quarters?"

"Some of it is not... legal on federation ships. I would not like to be caught with it."

"OH great now your telling me you have brought illegal substances aboard with you, what next you going to tell me you got some live stock hidden some where to so you can have some fresh meat?" She was being sarcastic now but she didn't care right now.

"I didn't 'bring' it! I found someone who has it onboard and traded with them."

"Who" was all she said she was not sure she wanted to know what he had traded with.

"The Romulan spotted other day. Knew he smelled of Romulan Ale." He said with a chuckle.

"Thank you I will have someone keep an eye on him and if we catch him with the stuff he will be in a lot off trouble" she sighed "Anything else you been up to that i should know about before it bites me in the arse"

"What is wrong with Romulan Ale?"

"Oh not much just that it is not only illegal aboard Federation vessels but through out the entire Federation" she sighed "The fact that he has been careless enough to let someone else know he has it is the real problem"

"Only reason I know is because I am a Klingon." he said fiercely

"It does not matter what your race, he will be watched for a set period of time and if he is careless again then we will have no choice but to do something about it. If he is careful then he will be left alone"

QaDghab just growled, and got up to leave. He wasn't to happy.

"If you are going somewhere make sure you are back here in two hrs for you shift" she did not try to stop him or find out what was wrong this time, if he wanted her to know why he was angry with her yet again he would tell her.

"If I had known.. I would never have shared that with you!" he growled. This time he felt as if his trust had been broken.

"I have said he will be watched not that he will be arrested, I have told you what I plan to do he is your friend/acquaintance not mine. I would have no reason to visit him and talk to him about things, there is nothing stopping you from doing so. But i understand that you would prefer to just abuse me and my position further by expecting me not to do my job." she did not look at him if she did she thought she might just lose her temper.

Her tone was as cold as ice.

QaDghab sighed, "Then do your job. Why am I here?" He was angry.

"You were brought here after you entered someone's quarters, they are not pressing charges against you though so you are free to go until your shift starts" her voice was still cold but had an edge to it that told how she was hurt by his attitude towards her.

"I've entered a lot of people's quarters! If this where a Klingon ship, I would have been dead the first time."

"As i have told you before this is not a Klingon ship, if it is death you seek then the airlock is always a good way to go. There is no coming back from the cold of deep space" Her voice was getting quieter and quieter as if she was finding it hard to speak.

He answered bitterly, "Even I would not go that low. I may not have any honor left, but I still prefer an honorable death."

"As you wish, I was merely pointing out there are other ways to die aboard a vessel like this without ruining someone's career because you want to die" She sighed "If you wish death so much, maybe you should go ask K'Vok for the help I can not and will not give. I value life to much to help someone kill themselves"

"No. It is not time." He sighed, "You are correct, you have to do your duty."

My duty is all I have as you pointed out to me several times, I am not a Klingon I do not think like one or act like one. I am surprised you would even wish to acknowledge me in fact" She was still upset by what had happened earlier in the cell where he had asked for her help and she refused him.

"You have a vav, but clearly I am not much of one..." He said with a sigh and started to turn to leave.

"How long for you seem to always want to give up and die, and all I want is for you to live and fight your demons" she looked up at him "But that is obviously not enough of a reason for you to want to live"

" Oh and if there is anything else in your quarters that should not be I suggest you use this time to move them into mine, as the Admiral has cleared it for you to share quarters with me"

"I have been fighting these 'demons' for 7 years, they are worse than any physical enemy. I'm weary of fighting." He said, then what she said clicked as well and he just looked at her a moment, not sure what to say.

She looked at him "Then I am right I am not enough of a reason for you to live,jI-yaj vav" she looked away not wanting him to see the pain in her eyes that she felt in her heart.

QaDghab stopped and muttered lowly. "This has nothing to do with you, I can not expect you to understand."

She stood and walked past him out the office and out of the security area, he had just basically told her again that she was nothing to him.

He sighed, what did he say wrong this time. He rubbed his head and then with a quick shout of anger cleared her desktop with a crashing clatter.

She heard the sound of things crashing to the floor but did not turn back, if she turned back she would give in again. He continually hurt her with his words, it seemed that she would never be good enough for him. She would never be enough to make him wish to live, to fight.

A couple of security guards suddenly started to run past her, not realizing she was there, only that the crashing needed to be investigated.

She did not know where she was going only that she needed to keep going, she walked and walked not really caring anymore.

A roar could be heard, then a phaser shot and after a few moments silence the guard started to carry him out towards the cells.


TBC (didn't know how long was till now lol)

JP
Ensign Sammy Jo Swan
Assistant Chief Security/Tactical
USS Horizon-A
Taskforce 58

&

[QaDghab]

She opened up a hatch leading to the Jeffries tubes and climbed in, she knew as Assistant Chief of Security she should return to sort out the trouble back there but she needed to hit something a few times first or she would end up hitting him.

He was dumped back into the cell and the forcefeild raised again, the main guard shaking his head. "Anyone know where the Asst. Chief has gone?"

James turned to the brig officer "Sir she just walked out, she looked rather pissed off Sir"

He sighed, "Well then lets not bother her for now, Leave a report on the desk and we should have someone keep an eye on him. I've never seen a Klingon in that poor of shape.

She had moved through the tunnels to a point that was rarely used and there she stood, making a fist with her left hand she repeatedly punched the wall until her anger subsided. When she finished her knuckles were split open and obviously broken but she did not care, she was calmer now and she should return to see what happened after she left. She climbed back out of the tubes with difficulty with one hand injured and made her way back to the office.

There was a minor officer there when she arrived, he was picking up the stack of PADDS that had been knocked off and ordering them on her desk. A shelf that had originally been on wall was also getting replaced.

"Where is he" was all she said

"Back in the cell. Force field has been placed back up.

She nodded "How did you get him to the cell?"

"He was stunned and carried back, there was no other way, with him as hostile as he is." He said, though he didn't realize that QaDghab had not been as hostile as he had been perceived.

"He was not being hostile he was angry because of something I said to him" she walked back to the brig area to check on his condition, leaving a trail of blood droplets behind her.

The officer nodded, not noticing the blood as he turned and left her. She was met again with a guard standing at the cell. QaDghab was awake by then but not moving or saying anything. Just breathing heavily.

She stood watching him as he lay there, turning to the guard "drop the shields then get out" the guard pause for a moment then seeing the look on her face did as she ordered .

QaDghab stirred, groaning slightly and pain pulsed threw his arm and side from the stun.

"You are on duty in 30 minutes, you should rest until then"

He didn't answer as he groaned and rolled, falling off the bed.

"Ensure you are on time for this shift, I will not continue to allow you to be late or drunk on duty" with that she turned and walked back to the office her voice was still cold.

He just muttered, passing out. He remained unconscious for the remaining time until duty.

She sat in the office and waited for him to show, he had less than a minuet before his shift was due to start she hoped he would be on time just for once.

QaDghab did not awaken, drool running from corner of his mouth as he remained still, unconscious.

She waited until 20 minuets after his shift was due to start then when he still did not turn up she went back to the cells. "QaDghab lagh" she shouted "Get up now, you are late for your shift again"

There was no stir... he remained still and un-awakened. The only movement being his ribs along with steady but heavy breaths

She walked into the cell and nudged him lightly in the ribs with her foot "get up old man even you have to do your job" she was annoyed that she had to wake him

A snorting blow escaped his lips but that was it. His features seeming at peace for once.

Nudging him again slightly harder this time she waited to see what reaction she would get.

This time there was a bit more response, but it was not what would want as it filled the air with a nasty scent

She walked out of the cell and put the shield up let him stay there with his stench "Brig officer this cell is not to be opened until I tell you otherwise, unless there is a medical emergency do you understand "Yes Ma'aM it will be as you order" she nodded and went back to the office and sat down she pulled up all the latest reports and started to go through them, she knew the brig officer would inform her when QaDghab finally woke.

The smell itself was enough to wake himself up as he let out a disgusted groan and curse.

The brig officer hit his comm. badge "Ma'aM he has woken " Sammy smiled an evil smile "Thank you he will be safe there for now, let me know if he asks for anything Swan out"

Sammy continued to read through the reports while she left him there for a short time.

QaDghab groaned and slowly climbed to his feet, stumbling until he hit the force field and went right back down.

The brig officer had a hard time keeping him self from laughing but managed it as he did not want to get into a fight with this one.

"Let me out..." He grumbled... "Need go... duty."

Brig officer "Sorry I am under orders not to open this cell until Ensign Swan says so" he hit his comm. badge "Ma'aM he is asking to be release for duty" Sammy grinned "Is he well inform him he is now 45 minuets late for duty and he will have to stay there until I come and speak with him first"

The brig officer relayed the message to him glad for the force field.

QaDghab growled and slammed his head into the forcefield, shouting a loud curse that was more for himself than anyone else. He then laid again, slightly dazed from that and still feeling the tingling of there energy field

Waiting 5 minuets she then walked into the brig area and the officer took that as his que to leave "So you finally decided it was time to start your shift then"

"I can not tell time in my sleep...." He growled

"Tell me what would the punishment be on a Klingon vessel if you did not turn up on time for your shifts"

(tbc again lol)

JP
Ensign Sammy Jo Swan
Assistant Chief Security/Tactical
USS Horizon-A
Taskforce 58

&

[QaDghab]

(OOC and finaly the good part hehe)

"One warning if fortunate, then death." He sighed with a grumble, "But most officers sleep lightly and have a means of being awakened."

"Then consider this your warning" she opened the cell and let him out.

He moved out of the cell, but he would not look at her as he started to head for the office.

"We will be going to the Holodeck for the next part of this shift" she said as she followed him out of the cell area, she knew he was not happy but she was not sure how angry he was with her.

He merely grunted, no talking to her either as he turned to head for the Holodecks.

She was not going to give in and apologize, he had to learn and it seemed the more she tried to be nice the more he pushed his luck . Well he had just found out that his luck had finally run out.

They moved in silence, he muttered lowly some to Damok, but didn't speak to her. Though few words could be heard, what was heard could be concerning, but not clear enough to be understood.

"We are using holodeck one" she said nothing more to him as he was still being childish at being rebuked.

He headed to that Holodeck and then entered, his back to her. He stood in place inside and waited for her.

She hit a few keys and the program started, in front of him was an assault course, running track and shooting range. "This is your first training session on a federation ship for some time, so we will start off slowly two laps of the track will do to start"

He looked at the Course and muttered to himself, this time not to Damok. It had been a while since he been on any ship, or even required to be in full shape. However he did start out, at first a kind of awkward jog, and then a awkward /jogging run that was leaving him gasping, but he refused to give in.

She watched as he started the course he still refused to even acknowledge she was there, she started to time him whilst she watched his progress.

At about half the lap he managed to straighten some... but not long as after the first lap he quickly began to slow down, his breaths gasping ad he stumbled on. He had to force himself to correct his breathing before he could continue at any speed.

She had not realized he was so out of shape but he needed to complete this session or he would be restricted to desk duties, but she had not told him that as yet.

He made it around the 2 laps, but was out of breath and trying to regain it before he could focus on the rest. He still cursed himself, it was his fault he had not kept in shape, but he had not expected to be assigned these types of duties anymore either.

She walked over to him as he stood there "Your time was too slow, you will have to improve. Next is 2 laps of the assault course." she stood and waited to see if he had anything to say to her yet.

She walked over to him as he stood there "Your time was too slow, you will have to improve. Next is 2 laps of the assault course." she stood and waited to see if he had anything to say to her yet.

He looked at this as well and felt dread. Still he began, grabbing into the wall and with a low grunt pulling and climbing, slipping partly on way up. His blind side got turned to the ropes once and he nearly missed his next grip before holding tightly. But he made it up, and then went crashing down again, landing in a particularly uncomfortable position on a large rope that ran the length of the room. It took him a moment to recover there.

Sammy watched she was starting to feel guilty at putting him through this with out any warning or even the chance to change out of his Armour for this practice session.

He finally got up and tried balancing on the rope without much luck, he ended dup catching himself on it again and semi shimmying up.

She would not make matters worse between them by telling him to stop and rest, she would let him decide if he needed to rest or not.

He eventually go to the other side, disappearing as he laid on the top platform. The next thing heard was the clatter of metal falling.

Hearing something drop she walked along the course to see what it was.

Several pieces of amour now lay on the ground, including a bulky belt that often wore with the uniform. The belt still held his D'k'tagh on it. Then the leather pieces of his uniform began to fall. One having a meQleth still in it.

Seeing what he was doing she stood well back and watched as he continued to lighten his load, it worried her slightly when she saw the amount of weapons contained with in his amour. The amount of fights they had had he could of seriously injured if not killed her at any time.

The last thing down was a black shirt which caught the air enough to land on her as a low grunt was heard and bare backed QaDghab stood and continued on the course, his bare back showing a massive number of scars and many showing his time as a prisoner.

She snatched the shirt off of her head where it had landed, she was glad he was not giving up it was time he started to fight again and he needed to be fitter than he was right now.

The removal of the armor helped hi greatly as he moved on, still struggling but not and much. He managed to finish it barely though landing heavily at the end of another wall.

She walked over to him and offered him a flask of juice to help refresh him but she still did not talk.

He looked at the juice, considering refusing, but took it and drank, sweat covering his light brown skin.

She noted down the time it had taken him to complete the course taking off the time he took taking off his amour "You are unfit and slow, you need to improve or all you will be allowed to do is man a desk in the office" she waited to see if he would react to her words.

"I did not expect to be in service again..." He said his first words, his voice hoarse.

"Life never is predictable, I never thought to be demoted for attempting to kill my CO but here I am and here you are. All we can do is deal with what the fates throw at us"

He nodded silently, turning and starting to get up, a main of graying hair falling across his scarred back. He looked around to see what was next, his one eye missing it a few times before he saw it and he actually seemed to bare his teeth in an almost Klingon grin as he waddled over to the shooting range.

Following him over she looked on as he took a long look at what weapons were there and then at the targets, they were of varying size and set at different ranges.

He looked at each of the weapons before choosing a Rifle and made his way to the standing line. He knelled and aimed, his good eye twitching oddly this time as he aimed and fired. Then aimed and fired again. Unlike the rest of the course, he seemed to do well with this, and for someone without a 2nd eye for depth perception he was fairly accurate.

She was happily surprised at his skill with the energy weapons, the part she was not looking forward to was still to come though it would probably not be today. His skill with bladed weapons also had to be tested, and in their department there was only her that had any chance of standing against him.

He finished off the round, went back and picked up a projectile weapon. He fired with it, leaving holes in the targets which had been designed to handle energy weapons

It seemed he was indeed very good with these weapons, "I am glad to say that so far your skill with these weapons is good, this is not a section we will have to do much training for with you"

"I am a gunner, not a weHwI'." He said as he looked around for anything else.

"That may be so but now you are both a tactical officer and a security officer so you need the physical fitness as well as skill with a gun"

He simply grunted, "Is there anything else?"

She looked at him he was tired but had done well and she did not wish to push him to hard on the first session, "That is all for this session, there will be another session soon" she turned to go he still did not seem to want to talk to her, about what she had done to him.

"Do you really think I do not care?" he suddenly asked

"I do not know what to think. One moment you seem to want me around, the next you are telling me that things that have happened to you are nothing to do with me." she just stood there unmoving.

"You was not there when it happened, you did not even know me when it occurred. How can it be of anything to do with you?"

"Because you are still suffering from it now, and I am the only one there is that wants to help you. Because you are my father and that means much to me, you mean much to me."

He sighed sitting. "I am not used to being a father. I was not even aware I could be one..." He said tiredly.

She turned to face him well you are a father and you need to accept it, nothing can change that now the only options are together deal with it by trying to be a father or by closing your heart to me forever. Either way you must decide what you want, I will not push you on the subject again"

"Where does that come from? You act as if I haven't already accepted you." He growled this time.

You say you accept me then push me away when I get to close to you or something that is affecting you, I do not understand why you do that and it hurts when you push me away. I am not Klingon and do not fully understand your ways, maybe I am just misunderstanding your actions but unless you explain it to me I will continue to do so."

"It is... cultural. I have accepted your aide much easier than most Klingons would..." He said shifting, not sure exactly the best way to explain things.

"It seems we both have much to learn" she walked over to him and sat next to him, I am sorry for locking you in the cell I was angry.

He grunted acceptance, "I for tearing up... the office as well." He said uneasily.

"You will have to warn your contact with the Romulan ale to stop all his trading for the next 14 days, after that we will of stopped watching his movements and he will be able to continue his trade. But he will need to be more careful in the future."

"He already knows." He merely said, "Have you seen my uniform?"

"You dropped it over on the assault course" she sighed "So when did you inform him that he would be watched"

"I didn't, you did." He said as he found the stuff and began to pulls some of it on.

"I do not understand, I have not spoken to him so how have I warned him of anything"

"He was listening in." he said with a shrug.

Her voice dropped to a low and dangerous tone "Do you mean to tell me that you have helped him to compromise the security of this ship"

"No, you should debug your office more often." He said dressing and starting to make a hasty escape.

"How do you know there is a bug there and why did you not say anything to me about it"

He did not answer, instead fiddling with the armor as he straightened the blades in it.

"Answer me" she sounded slightly angry again

"It was in the shelf. It is crushed."

She sighed with relief she would have the office swept for more bugs as well as the rest of the department.

"What is next?" he asked, asking what duty he had now.

"We are on patrol again"

He nodded and followed along

" You did not say anything earlier when I mentioned that our quarters are being combined, . . . . . . . . are you still happy for that to be done?"

"Yes, I just was not sure what to say at the time."

"I am glad I do not really wish to have to tell the Admiral that we have changed our minds" she said with a smile

QaDghab snorted, "Of course not." he said as they walked.

They walked along the corridor and started their patrol of the ship. Sammy did not have much to say so she kept quiet and just walked with him.


JP
Ensign Sammy Jo Swan
Assistant Chief Security/Tactical
USS Horizon-A
Taskforce 58

&

[Grenn]

<USS Horizon - Shuttlebay>

J'al sat up and rubbed his neck a little as he sat on the bay floor next to his cousin who was now doing the same thing while laughing a bit still.

"Well aren't you the lucky one. I see you decided not to wear your eye patch today. Probably a good thing, as first impressions are lasting ones. If I were you, I wouldn't call the Captain "matey" either when you meet her." he said, leaning back in his elbows.

"I saw your name on the transfer list. Its just your luck though. In a month or so I could very well be your boss. I'm starting on getting certified for starship flight, and if all goes well and I can pass with the Captain's blessing, I'll transfer to your department head." he said, poking M'karll and grinning a little. "Heck, I flew fighters forever, so what's the differance in flying one of these babies?"

OFF: :)

[M'karll]

<USS Horizon - Shuttlebay - Late Evening>

"Matey I didn't wear the patch but look, I acquired more swag," M'karll roared, slapping J'al heartily on the back. He indicated the extra pirate earring in his ear, and then pulled out a pendant of a panther on a solid gold chain. "Cap'n Picard never had a problem with me referrin' to him as Matey or Riker as First Mate," M'karll continued with a grin. "Guinen didn't much care to be called 'serving wench' though," he admiited with a shrug. "She hit me."

Seemingly from nowhere, M'karll produced a small flask of rum and opened it, taking a long pull. He offered the flask to J'al. "Me boss, eh me hearty? Well blow me over matey I s'pose I'll be yer first mate then. The terrifying kitten pirates of the Raeyan Sector!"

[Grenn]

<USS Horizon - Shuttlebay>

J'al swiped the bottle away from the offering hand and looked at it for a second. "Can the lingo, you're from Tarry" he said, referring to T'araiis, the capital and big city of the Virrtamm Province on Cait.

For earth, it would be the equivilent of a Brooklyn native talking like a pirate. A person doing so would easily be considered a nut there.

"And wearing an earring on duty wouldn't be a good idea here. Same for that pendant. Its by the book uniform when you're on shift and that's straight from 4th Fleet command." he said, taking a swig. "Unless of course you're just charming enough to make a good impression. A good officer might mean more then dry rules and regualtions, but I don't really know." he said with a small laugh.

OFF:

[M'karll]

<USS Horizon - Shuttlebay - Late Evening>

"But I like the pirate dialogue," M'krall complained to J'al. "Work is so boring without it, besides people give me the attention that I crave when I use it... and some Terran women find it cute. Take a pull on the rum, good stuff. I'll say this for humans... barbaric creature, but they make damn fine alcohol."

"As for the earring and pendant, well... I think that they make me look rather dashing to be honest. Who needs charm when you have dash," M'krall asked. "The pendant I might lose, but I'm keeping the earrings. I'll petition Admiral Clawson if I have to. Jean Luc let me keep the earrings, even on bridge duty... but he said I couldn't have the pendant at the same time. Good thing I'm not on duty right now, huh?" M'karll slapped J'al on the back good naturedly. Family were some of the few people that could convince M'karll to lose the pirate dialect. "Quit hogging all the rum!"

[Alex Chadwick]

ON:
<<USS Horizon -- Bridge>>

Alex paused before stepping out of the turbolift and on to the bridge.It
had been sometime since he had been aboard a starship. He slowly stepped
out onto the bridge and glanced around.It was big for such a small
ship.He had never been aboard an intrepid class before.He glanced down
towards the command deck and saw the admiral in her seat.

"Well old boy here we go." Alex whispered to himself.He gripped the padd
in his hand tight and walked down to the command deck. He stopped short
of the admiral's chair and announced his presence.Several of the bridge
crew glanced his way as he made his way onto the bridge.

"Admiral Lieutenant Alexander Chadwick reporting for duty." He stood at
attention best he could and held out his transfer orders on the padd he
carried.

Engrossed in viewing the status reports coming in from all over the
ship, Jackie ignored most of the sounds of the bridge until she heard a
very familiar voice right next to her. Her ears flickered as she
recognized it. But what the hell was the owner of the voice doing here
on her ship?

"Mr Chadwick, aren't you on the wrong vessel for your duty?" she asked,
looking directly at Chadwick, wondering if this was Starfleet playing
around with her or was there something more.

She noted a PADD in his outstretched hand, held out for her to take, the
Caitian took it and glanced the orders over; nope Chadwick wasn't on the
wrong ship. But this complicated things more, considering their last
meeting ended quite stunningly, for the Serenity Base Security chief
that is.

Jackie stood from the command chair, her tail swishing in mild irritation.

"Is there anyone else catching up with the Horizon from the betleH
tournament behind you? " she asked half incredulous at the odds as she
crossed her arms on her chest after throwing a quick look at the
Operations station. Oh hell this complicated things more.

Alex looked from the admiral to the ops station that she glanced at.The
lunatic K'Vok was serving on the ship.Alex smirked at the thoughts that
must be flowing through his insane brain pan at the site of him on the
bridge.Back to attention he answered the admiral.

"No ma'am no one else from the tournament that i'm aware of." Alex
glanced up at the admiral looking over the padd again.

"If i may? A word with you in private ma'am." Alex asked hesitant at
what might be said in private.

Jackie smirked. "I was being sarcastic, Mr Chadwick. although these days
who knows what and who follows me back here." she spoke as she indicated
her ready room and started towards it, thus silently granting his request.

She was curious what he had to say, and even curiouser as to what her
response would be given how the two... parted ways.

<Ready Room>

For the third time in the last several hours, the Caitian entered her
ready room with an officer close at her heels. A Commanding OFficer's
work was never done, but things got considerably more complicated given
the circumstances surrounding some of the crew of the USS Horizon and
Jackie herself. She took a seat behind her desk quickly scanning her
console and glancing at the PADD Chadwick handed her as she waved
Chadwick to take a seat.

"So Mr Chadwick, this is about as private as it gets 'round here" she
noted indicating he could speak, curious for what he had to say.

Alex stood almost at attention again.He knew it wasn't necessary but he
felt compelled to do so in front of her.

"I heard through the grapevine that you were in need of an extra hand
ma'am." Alex shifted on his feet suddenly somewhat nervous.

"I requested a transfer from Admiral Taylor to your command.I just
couldn't serve with the man after what happened." Alex swallowed hard
and made eye contact with the admiral.

Jackie raised an eyebrow but remained silent as Chadwick went on.

"I know how we last encountered each other was bad.I know that you were
only trying to make me see the truth....to help me." Alex looked down at
the deck and then back at the admiral.

"I was to blinded by my rank and duty to see what was really going on
aboard serenity. I let my personal problems interfear with my job.I
didn't deserve to wear this uniform."

Alex extended his hand and looked the admiral in the eye again.

"I'm sorry and i would like the opportunity to show you how good of an
officer i can be."

Jackie let out an exasperated sigh, lightly rubbing at the bridge of her
nose, "You and K'Vok apparently... Who else is trying to show me how good
an officer they can be? I don't rule the whole of Federation for Cait's
sake!" she muttered under her breath in the native language of Cait.

"It's not me you have to prove yourself to, Mr Chadwick" Jackie spoke
making eye contact with the man. "It's yourself you have to do it for"
she clicked her tongue against her teeth before holding up a PADD. .

"Very well. Considering Mr Kao's...definite refusal to work with a
Klingon exchange officer." She tossed the PADD containing Kao's
resignation and that he's left the Horizon at night on one of the
shuttles at Chadwick. "I guess I do need a new Chief Security Officer."
she said reaching out to shake his extended hand.

"Thank you ma'am.You won't be sorry for this." Alex wanted to say something
else but hesitated a moment.He wanted to know what the psycho K'Vok was doing
on the bridge of her ship but decided to let it rest for now.

"If i may then ma'am i'd like to check in with the ships doc and have my shoulder looked at."
Alex smiled and rubbed it slowly."Still hurts from getting pummled by that big ol klingon."

Jackie smirked "Of course,go ahead. Wouldn't want any of my crew injured on duty,unless there's a story behind that."
jackie gave off a sly grin.

Alex smiled. "There sure is ma'am and maybe i'll relate it to you one day.If that's all i'd like to check out my quarters
and see to this shoulder." Alex smiled and turned as the admiral gave a simple nod and they both walked out onto the bridge together.
This was the start of a whole new adventure for alex and he was going to enjoy every minute of it.

OFF:A JP by the Boss and the devil himself....

[Sammy Jo Swan]

Sammy had been working alongside the engineers to set up her quarters for joint occupation, an extra bed had been put in one fit for a Klingon and hers had been changed so it was the same. Furs had been found and all the fragile furniture had been replaced with more robust items, there was absolutly no glass items in the rooms at all. All the china and drinking glasses had been replaced with pewter plates and tankards and a small stove had been put in as well.

She just hoped that it would suit QaDghab better, he should be finished sorting his things out by now after all he did not have that much with him.

QaDghab finally entered, carrying a large bag, a carrying case, and one of many of his drinking cases, he was out of hands to carry anymore and was kind f bent underweight a bit. He had Klingon strength, but he would have to work on his physical shape. He carried it in and unloaded in the floor before looking around at the change, the points of his teeth showed in a Klingon grin which often resembled a snarl, as he studied the room.

"Does it meet with your approval" she said as he walked in.

He stopped looking around a bit to look at her, "Much so... it reminds me of the cabin I had on the homeworld, when I was a young man."

"I am happy you like it, do you have much more to carry through?"

"Some more of the alcohol cases, eveything else is in cargobay."

"Then first we shall collect your alcohol , then if you wish it we shall have your stuff brought up from the cargo bay"

"Yes, but some of the Racktagino will need to be taken to the admiral. I will have to see if she will permit me contact to get more shipped in."

Nodding she smiled "So you trying to get on the good side of the Boss huh"

"She is the Commander, her position is a testament of her skill and strength. She deserves it."

"If you say so then it must be true" she said laughing and slapping him on the back as she left thier quarters and entered his old ones.

He followed her, taking lead inside to a set of cabnets, he opened them to reveal more cases, and some, not entirly want widely known on a federation ship.

She picked up a few of the crates and carried them next door putting them in the cupboard behind the bar that had been put in for them.

He carried the last few cases, putting them where she indicated.

"Ok lets go get what you need from the cargo bay, leave the items for the Boss there we can get them beamed to her later" she headed for the door.

He nodded, "Canar..." he said in disguest, apprantly responding to something Damok had said as he walked beside Swan

"Damok shut up you are not welcome here" she said as she walked along the corridor to the turbp lift with him. She may not be able to hear him but when QaDghab started talking to him it was obvious.

QaDghab laughed, as the voice faded with an annoyed mutter. "First time anyone besides myself has told him to shut up."

She laughed "Thought it might shock him into leaving you alone for a little while"

"He may not entirly leave me alone, but for now he is silent."

"That will do for now, we can have a drink to silence him later" she said with a grin.

He laughed once more his eye searching the corridor ahead as he found the door wanted and headed for it.

She followed him through the door and waited for him to point out his belongings, the man had more than her.

He moved to a few boxes and a barrel. He opened one of the boxes and showed her, it had a fur blanket already in it, some skins, and actualy a few Klingon mugs for drinking.

She picked up one of the skins it was beautiful, she put it back into the box and picked it up. "What other boxes do you need"

He opened up another, it also had a few skins but it also had another set of armor, a cloak, and candles. He pulled out the candles and put them in the box she was carrying before closing the 2nd box and leaving it. "The barrel contains ractajino beans, I am not sure how we will split it, we should perhapse keep it here and take some in a smaller container. I did tell the admiral where the barrel is."

"So this is all you wish to take from here?" she asked

"Will need a smaller container for the ractagino." He repeated in answer. Clearly there was none around him he could use.

"Well unless you wish to come back with one all we have here are your mugs you could fill them with beans, then transfer them to a suitable container once we are back at quarters if you wish"

Clearly he didn't think of that. He grunted and took the tankards, opening the barrel as he filled the tankards full and carried them in arms against his chest.

Shaking her head she headed out the door and back to the lift and thier quarters.

He walked along as well, though was slow behind her as he was trying not to spill the beans. Though he did spill one or 2 on the way

"If you put the tankards back in the box if any beans spill they will only fall into the box and can easily be retreived" She said as she turned towards him.

He sighed and put them in the box before turning aorund and heading back to the cargo bay.

She sighed "What have you forgotten"

"I'm going to grab the other box. Besides it still has stuff can use with the candles." He said, it faintly heard because he had already moved pretty quickly down the cooridor.

She leaned against the wall and waited for him to return "Men they are just impossible" she said to herself.

About 5 minutes later he came back with the other box, the sound of something rolling around in it and hitting metal as he carried it.

As he got close she spoke "Are you sure you have everything now"

"Yes, and have more beans as well." He said, explaining the rolling sound.

She laughed "Ok lets get back and put this stuff away then we can finally relax for a while" she said with a sigh.

He nodded as he walked alongside her. It didn't take long for them to get back to the Quarters.

Once they entered the quarters she put the box down and took a seat leaving him to unpack.

He opened the first box and pulled out the furs, some where blankets, one was actualy a coat which he put with his few clothes. The blankets he used to replace the ones that had been put on his bed. except for one which he put in her lap as he went on to unpack.

She picked it up and took it through to the bedroom and placed it on her bed "Thank you vav"

"I do not know if you can realy appreciate it though if you knew who's it once was. He spoke softly as if in memory

She sat back down "Who's was it" she asked

"Your mother, she was not the first mate I have ever had. I once had a Klingon mate."

"And the fur was hers" she asked sounding curious.

He nodded, "I kept it after she was killed in the Khithomer Massacre."

She stood and walked over to him kissing him lightly on the cheek "Then you honor me greatly by giving me something that obviously means much to you" she said looking him in the eye.

He nodded and motioned her to come over to the boxes.

She followed him back to the boxes wondering what other suprises he had in store for her.

He pulled out a brass piece with gold designs, designed for placement of several candles and a center piece where a bowl could be placed. He pulled out the bowl as well. "The Candles are used in ceramony, as the bowl can be as well."

She knelt on the floor by him as he unpacked the items and explained thier use.

He then went to other box and pulled out the candles. "These were hand made, from the shoulders of wild targh.

She nodded as he continued to explain. She had no idea what the ceremoney was that they were used for as yet but she was certain he would explain all once he finished unpacking.

He then pulled out the Klingon armor, which was made of fine liquor finished leather, well designed, and held a number of service pins that he never showed on his basic armour. It also had clasps for the baldric, and room for the cloak that was worn over it. He showed her. "This would be worn on formal occations. Such as if I were to visit the Klingon High Council, or attend a wedding."

"It is a wonderful peice of craftsmanship very fine indeed."

He nodded, looking at the pins as well. The pins he could actualy wear with his current armor, but he chose not to.

"Why do you not wear your service pins"

"I am no longer in the service. I conducted myself dishonorably in the last years. To wear it now would be inviting more distaste from other Klingons than I have now.

"I see" she did not say anything more she waited for him to speak again.

He moved on, grabbing the cloak that went with it, it carried more pins.
Clearly for a while he had been highly decorated. He then pulled out a few more furs shaking out what looked like coffee beans.

She shook her head as the beans went everywhere "You realise you will be picking up every single bean from the floor" she said with an evil grin.

He grunted with a grin and threw the fur blanket ontop of her, it covering his head, as he picked up the few beans that did not land back in the box.

She took the fur off of her head and threw it back at him, laughing as it hit him in the side of the head.

He dropped the beans again as he cought the blanket and threw it right back at her, tackling her with it, so she sat in a chair before he went back to picking them up. Laughing

She sat on the chair holding the fur and laughing, "You should do more house work old man you are good at it" she said poking her tongue out at him.

"Perhapse because it is the only way you know when you have been bugged." He chuckled.

"You let someone bug you into doing house work never" she grinned

He snorted, "Not that kind of bug, the kind I found in the Chief's Office. If he cleaned that shelf more often he might have found it." He grinned knowing she was teasing him.

"Well these quarters have been swept for them and none were found, and a full sweep of the security section is being done just in case there are more."

He nodded silently as he finished unpacking most the stuff, leaving the beans which were like darker versions of coffee beans and the mugs left.
"Want to give a hand?"

"Of course I will help, I just did not want to interfere" she said as she got up and walked back over to him "Afterall you did just tackle me into the chair and out of your way" she said grinning.

He snorted a part grin still on face. You were throwing the blanket back. I can't pick up beans blind

"I was testing your reflexes" she lied grinning widely

He chuckled as they finished and he poured some chech'tluth for her and himself as he took a seat.

She took the mug and drunk deeply, "next shift I think I might have you doing some more exesize" she said grinning evily.

He grumbled a bit... but nodded in understanding. He was out of shape.
"Do not grumble at me, I have yet to test your skills with bladed weapons"
He looked at her. "You sure you want to do that?"

"There is no-one else that would stand a chance against you and I doubt even I can"

"Then why do you need to test it?"

"It is part of your evaluation "

He sighed, "When do you want to do this?"

"It is up to you I was thinking of doing it next shift, unless you have another idea"

"Yes, we should get it over with." he said giving her a grin, his scarred face scrunching a bit.

"Ok" she said taking another drink "When you thinking of doing it instead"

"After this." He said drinking some, but he didn't seem to be going towards drinking anymore than had in the mug.

She groaned "You mean you are going to make me work even more, I am off duty you know. "

"Work? Thats not work. Thats fun."

She groaned she now knew for sure this would hurt her more than it would him "Ok i give in after this drink we will go"

QaDghab chuckled as he drank and let out a good belch.

Sammy finished her drink and stood "Ok old man you ready to kick my butt in the holodeck again?"

He stood, "Of course." he said finishing off his as he stood. He first went to the replicator though and after a few moments studying it pressed some keys, when he came back he handed her some light armor.

Taking the armour she put it on "So from the fact you are getting me to wear something i have never worn before, do I take it you want us to use real weapons?" she said sounding slightly worried.

"What else do you use?" He asked, now a bit confused to what she means.

"Well we normally use the holo-weapons, they do not do any damage"

"Blah... we will use these... holoweapons." He grumbled.

"You do not have to, just remember that we do not use bladed weapons much in the federation. So my skill is limited"

He grunted. "Then you will learn. Come." he said heading out the door in bold steps.

She followed him out of their quarters still doing the armour up.

He led the way to the Holodeck and this time he started to set up the scene.

She did not say anything she just let him lead the way, when they arrived she was just about to set a program but he had already started to select one. "What are you planning for us"

"Your choice of programs are poor." He commented as they soon found themselves in the mass area of a Klingon battleship, there where Klingons standing around a center floor which had been cleared. They where there as if to watch.

She blushed slightly "What is this place, why are they all standing here"

It's is the Mass area of a Klingon Battle ship. They are standing there to wait for us, this is sometihng might see if there is a dispute between 2 Klingons, it is between the 2 warriors to fight it out.

"Ok, so what are we fighting over? Did I upset you again somehow?" she looked slightly nervous now after his words

"No, it is just familiar ground and much more interested than a padded floor in a white room." he chuckled.

She sighed with releif she did not feel comfortable in these surroundings or wearing the armour, it did not feel right. She knew this little session she had planned to test his skills had just become a full on training session for her instead.

He moved out to the center floor, and called for 2 blades of same design and wieght of the ones they had. 2 appeared and he handed her, hers.

She took the dagger he passed her and tried it for wieght it was a bit heavier than she had trained with before but she would cope. "Ok, lets get this done"

He nodded as he came to balance his weight on his heals, he moved back to give her room and then nodded for her to go first.

She started to circle him slowly moving lightly on the balls of her feet her eyes locked with his, she fienged a slash at his chest then changed angle and went for his side.

He blocked, and twisted sending a strick towards her abdomen.

She jumped back just avoiding his knife, then brought hers up and for his face

He grunted in annoyance as he found he couldn't see what was happening until the blade bit his cheek, but he quickly turned and grabbed her hadn, the blade falling from it.

She yelped as he grabbed her hand tight enough to force her to drop the blade.

He wipped at a dripple of blood on his face, left behind by the holoblade. He had set the safty settings low enough that injury was posible but not serious injury. The blade had only left a minor cut rather than deep as might have been in rl.

She had not expected to see blood on his face and now felt guilty for having injured him even if it was just a scratch. "You should of told me the safety settings were set to low" she sounded a little annoyed but she was just concerned.

"What Klingon have your heard of who plays with full safty?" He said with a chuckle. "Grab your blade. Hold it with the thumb against the seperators." He said inndicating the mettal at the end of the blade that also held the 2 smaller blades that expanded out.

She did as he said and waited for his next instruction.

He nodded, "Strike at me."

She did straight for his chest. . . . . . .

He locked it with his, showing her a monuver to stop a blade.

She took note of the way he bloked her blade and tried again to attack him this time coming in low and going for the stomach

He side stepped this time, befor emaking a strike towards her chest.

This time she was off balance and could not avoid his strike.

"He stopped before it could hit her chest and caught her. "Keep your legs apart. Have you studied any form of martial arts?"

She stood up again "No only armed combat" she sighed "and as you can see i am very out of practice"

"Knowing how to stand in martial arts also helps you understand the best method to stand when fighting armed.

She had not practiced since she left the acadamy and it was showing in her every move. "Well they did not teach me that"

"They should have, and you should have strived to better your knowledge." he said striking out once more towards he side.

She was embarresed by his words and almost missed his attack, she blocked his strike with her left arm and brought her knife up and round in an arc heading for his neck.

Once more it was on his blind side, and he grunted, falling back.

She did not give him the chance to regain his footing before pushing her attack this time for his chest.

He barely blocked the next attack, he couldn't see from that side.

She attacked again this time coming in low again and going for the ribs on the right hand side

He reached and blocked, locking the blade with hers, it held steady.

She tried to pull her blade free but could not unlock them. . . .

He finaly released hers and turned on his side to get up.

She offered him her hand to help him to his feet.

He looked at it, and unlike aother Klingons he took it as he got to his feet.

She let him regain his balance and his stance, and to see what else he had to say to her concerning her style.

"Seems we both have something we need to work on." He commented as he rubbed his blind eye.

"I had forgotten about that, i was concentrating on getting past your guard" she felt slightly ashamed for attacking him on his blind side.

"It is fine, an enemy would have used it to his advantage."

"I am not your enemy, we are just training not trying to kill each other"

"No you are not my enemy, but if we do not train for an enemy, the training is useless."

"You are right of course but that does not stop me feeling bad about it" she said with a sigh.

"Don't feel bad about it, it was better to know the limit than to not know."

She nodded and took up her fighting stance again.

He took up stance as well. For the next 30 minutes they traded strikes and he instucted her on different point before he fell back again. "You are already improving."

She grinned at his words "I am a fast learner"

"A break is needed."

She nodded her agreement and sat down where she was then lay back.

He sat as well, removing pieces of the armor while he was down.

She had not bothered to remove the armour she needed to get used to it's weight, she had a feeling that next time he might make her use real weapons.

As he sat, his blink eye twitched, an indication that he had not eactly been taking his medication as he should.

She lay there with her eyes closed, thinking for a moment. "Why are you not taking the medication you were given" she asked.

He tried to pretend he didn't know what she was talking about. "Who says I haven't?"

"I do not wish to argue about it, I am just concerned for you. If you do not wish to take the medication then that is fine but do not lie to me." was her reply.

He sighed, "I do not see the purpose in it."

"Thank you that is all I asked" she paused . . . . . . . . . . . ."Do you intend to keep your next appointment with the doctor, or do you see no point in that either" she finally asked

"I never saw the point in seeing them in first place."

She sighed "What about your appointment with the councilor do you intend to skip that too" her tone was hard to work out but it had an edge to it that those who knew her would know was not good.

"I don't even know when it is, nor do I care." He said truthfuly.

"So you won't be keeping it then, or will you keep it if you know when it is"

"Do I have a choice?" He asked seriously.

"If you wish to continue serving aboard this vessel rather than being taken off duty . . . . . . . . . . . . then no"

"Then I have to keep it." He said as he started to get up, his joints popping.

She just lay there her hands crossed behind her head.

"Did I pass your test?" He asked.

She grinned "More to the point did I pass yours" she asked not moving.

"You did well. You are a fast learner."

"Thank you and yes you passed the test, even though it is not what I had in mind." Her eyes were still closed and she had not moved at all, other than to speak.

He laughed, and then went quiet as he got a wince of pain his back hunhed over.

"So are my lessons for today over, or is there something else you wish to do with me".

He did not speak at first, a low grunt coming from him.

"Is all well with you?" she asked opening her eyes and sitting up.

He was standing in place, his back bent and arms out in front of him. He seemed stiff, but from the way he was facing, could not see his face.
"Back..." He grunted.

She stood and walked over to him standing behind him she felt for the place his back had gone, with one hand on his shoulder and the other pressing down on the effected area she push down hard on his back and pulled up from the shoulder. His back cracked firmly back into place, but she did not let go of him just yet.

His legs wobbled at first and he caught himself on her, before slowly regaining his feet. His back still hurt but it was no longer locked in place.

"That feel better" she asked

He nodded, "Yes. Stupid disk." he sighed.

She slowly removed her support to see if he was able to stand again just yet.

He started to go down on one knee, surprising himself. He was caught again and he sighed. "Stupid, petaQ disk..."

She grabbed him again and guided him over towards the wall through the holo crowd, leaning him there. "Just rest there and we will continue once you are feeling better"

He grumbled, "I'm not even that old. Feel a 160 already though." He grumbled.

"You look it as well" she replied with an evil grin.

He looked at her with his good eye and then snorted in humor. "It's battle that does it." He said his blind eye twitching.

She laughed "I will remember that and use it when i reach your age"

He grunted pushing away from the wall again and heading for the door.

She followed him and ended the program as they left the holodeck "So lessons are over then"

"For now, I need to get Jackie's racktagino up to her."

Sammy nodded "I need to shower and report for duty, you are on duty next in 6hrs do not be late this time" she said with a laugh.

He nodded, "Make sure I'm not alseep then. Use cold water if am." He chuckled.

She laughed "I will be on duty and unable to get back to wake you"
He nodded, then I will have to stay awake. He said as he left

Sammy headed back to quarters to get ready for her shift.

A joint post by


QaDghab lagh
Security/Tactical Officer
(Klingon Exchange Officer)
USS Horizon (http://horizon.taylord1.co.uk/main.php?pageref=bio&crewid=92)

and

[Sammy Jo Swan]

Sammy had showered and changed into a clean uniform before leaving thier quarters, she was now on her way to the office again she had almost got the files upto date now and hoped to hear soon what was happening with the Boss.

She entered the office and sat at the desk things were running as smooth as possible at the moment. She sat behind the desk and picked up the first padd and started to read, she would be glad when she no longer had to do all of this.

Off: Tag Chadwick

[Jackie Clawson]

<<USS Horizon>>

QaDghab left Swan's company as he headed for the Cargo Hold. Few minutes later he was carrying a large barrel half filled with raktajino beans imported from the home world itself. He carried it up to the bridge and started to head for the ready room, barely seeing where he was going with the barrel and slightly disoriented as he was trying to see around the thing with only one eye.

Jackie looked up, not sure whether to be amused or not at the sight.

"QaDghab" she spoke, her tone firm, "what're you doing with that barrel?" she asked.

"Trying to get it to your ready room. It is your raktajino." He said as he nearly crashed into the door frame.

Jackie blinked then stood up from the command chair,

"c'mon" she said, guiding him to her ready room, "I didn't really expect you to do that" she said once they were in the ready room.

"Saves you the trip, and wanted to talk to you about the possibility of shipping in more." he said with a grunt as he dropped the Raktajino onto the floor in the ready room and tried to straighten, only to find his back starting to lock up again. He didn't have Swan here to fix it either.

"Shipping more?" Jackie asked, curious, "An interesting thought." she said. "And there's a few things I'd like to talk to you about as well actually" she said, motioning for him to sit down as she went over to the barrel to take a look inside.

QaDghab didn't move, moving made it worse. "Understood... I would sit, but, I have a lose disk in back that’s going to shift as soon as I move." He grumbled.

"You should get sickbay to look at that if it's going to interfere with your duties here" she said. "Before they have to carry you off the bridge , I'm sure it won't do your honor any good of the bridge crew witnesses that" she noted as she walked over. "But meanwhilst you can't stand here like that." she said "Where?" she asked observing the Klingon as she motioned to his back.


"I have seen them. Nothing was said. 21st disk down." He said, it was one near middle of his back. "It normally does not bother me much. However, I have not been put to this type of work in a while." He said as he tried not to tense up as she came near his back. As he did he mentally told Damok to be silent again, as he was making comments abound his bad back.

"Nothing?" Jackie smirked, "Typical doctors, fail to see the real problem, make up tons of fake ones to keep you in" she spoke as her fingers travelled above his back counting down the disks. "Have you been made to carry heavy items lately?" she asked, "that's not part of what Security does" she added, firmly placing her fingers on a spot on his back. "Hold still" she spoke, pausing a little, then in a swift move Jackie managed to jolt the disk back into place. "There, how's that?" she asked.

"Not exactly." He said with a slight hiss as he grabbed a hold of a chair to steady himself after she popped it back in place. Then he took a seat. "I'm not in the shape I used to be however." He admitted. "You said you had something to talk to me about?" As he spoke it was clear that his mind was not as distracted as it had been last they met.

Jackie nodded.

"Indeed" she spoke as she popped open the barrel with the beans and took a handful out. Jackie smiled at the smell, this did look more powerful than the raktajino she's grown used to out of the replicator.

"It was a bit...odd running into you in my quarters" she began, "I've had a couple of reports this morning about similar incidents elsewhere on the ship" she said, walking over to her desk.

"Starfleet personnel isn't really fond of people wandering into their quarters uninvited" she said, her tone not carrying any signs of chiding or berating. "It'll take them some time to get used to two Klingon Defence Force Exchange officers" she noted, smiling lightly. "Personally I wouldn't mind more, but that might drive the rest of my crew insane" she said 'as if some of them weren't insane as it is....' she thought as she popped a bean into her mouth. She paused at the rich taste as she bit into it.

"mhm.. these are good" she said, grinning. "these oughta make my job easier" she noted, smirking.

QaDghab sigh, rubbing his head snarling lowly at Damok a moment before brining attention back to the Admiral. "It is not something entirely acceptable in Klingon Empire either... I... don't always know where I am, when have entered quarters..." He said, somewhat uncomfortable admitting it. He then looked at the beans. "They should be better, they are not replicated, and come directly from Qo'noS."

Jackie nodded slowly.

"Just make sure this won't affect your duties here, otherwise you'll have to see the counsellor and spend some time in sicbkay whilst they figure out what's wrong and how to make you better" she said chewing on another bean. "I'm not sure what happened with Damok and you, but I can certainly relate to being at the hands of Cardassians" she spoke.

"yeah, non replicated stuff is always better than the replicated, but sadly we can't always get the real thing out here" she said.

He didn't look happy, he rubbed his head again. Then when she mentioned her having been in hands of the Cardassians before he suddenly looked at her, his attention caught. "He was my captor and interrogator... you have been at their hands before? Interrogated? How long...." He said shuddering himself at the questions.

Jackie nodded, focusing on a bean as memories flooded in.

"Interrogated, tortured..." she spoke, blinking back several memories.

"Almost a week or so I'm told, I still can't piece everything back together nor am I sure I want to; it felt like years" she said, "he liked playing with me, trying to break me piece by piece. prolonging it." she said, trailing off for a moment, "because of my defiance, my refusal to give him what he wanted. Course didn't help I wasn't their...typical prisoner" she smirked, "but...I paid for that too" she added popping a bean into her mouth and chewing quietly, her former non troubled self gone.


QaDghab felt guilt at bringing it up, but he did not stop... his own past coming up and he seemed to not be a strong Klingon anymore but someone haunted, he spoke of his as well. "I was held for nearly a year... Damok was my tormentor. He was there everyday, he held me on his leash and demanded I count the heads of the dead. If I defied him I lost something. He said as he moved his hair to show his missing ear. In time I killed him, I killed his family, and for his revenge I was stuck with him till my dying breath." He said as he actually shook.

"How long ago was that?" Jackie asked, her tone quiet. "That certainly explains a whole lot" Jackie nodded, "I was tormented by memories of what happened every single day for several years. To this day there's still some..." Jackie trailed off, "Let's just say I'm not too keen at the sight of some things" she smirked a little, "but it's better than before." she admitted, "way better, else I doubt I would even be able to attend the betleH tournament this year and remain...sane" she spoke.

"First year of the Dominion war, I was one of the first prisoner's taken. The second year I went back to Cardassia with a squad of warriors from my House... While there..." He paused a moment... his good eye squinting, his blind eye remaining wide open, it rarely blinked. "More families died under my hand. I feel no regret for it. The children only grow to be more interrogators." He spat. "Still my House found it enough to lock me away on Qo'noS, to keep me from serving." There was an undertone of anger, in his voice, his eye distant as he was lost in the past.

Jackie shook her head a little, "Indeed. I probably would've done the same. With them and the Romulans; nearly did" she took in a deep breath and slowly let it out before shaking off the memories. She picked up a raktajino bean and held it in her hand as she asked the next question "What brought you back to service and onto the Horizon?" she asked, curious to hear the answer to that one.

"A friend. I am still not welcomed into service in the Empire, but here I have some use." He said getting up, with the sound of joints poping as he did. He grabbed a bean himself, munching on it. "I it alright to have more shipped her? It would be useful to both of us as well as Swan who I unfortunately keep up to much."

"A friend? Why the Horizon exactly?" she asked, quite curious, "what do you hope to learn aboard an Intrepid class starship under a command of a Caitian?" she asked quite curios.

Jackie nodded, smiling. "Of course. I'd be greateful for more of the real stuff" she said. "And I'm sure Ms Swan keeps you busy" she said.

"It is a chance to remember Honor. I lost it with the killing of them families." He said as he fingered his House Symbol.

Jackie was curious, out of all the ships in the Federation, why the Horizon?

"What must you do to remember honor again?" Jackie asked. "Especially on a Federation vessel"

He gave her a Klingon grin. "I already am, with my puqbe' (daughter). It was the only chance I had of serving, If you welcome me here despite my trouble." He said as he looked at the beans, but did not grab any.

Jackie nodded.

"Of course" She said, "this will give you and your daughter time to get to know each other" she noted, "You are welcome here despite your trouble QaDghab" she spoke, "none of us are without our own troubles and demons" she noted.


QaDghab was quiet a moment, and Damok was bugging him again. He shook his head fiercely, trying to not let the visions back. His hand went to a small scar on back of his neck, where an implant had been put in during his captivity. He sat down again. "I had told her that she was not to openly share that we are related to others.... You are the Commander though and I trust this place to be secure." He said motioning to the room. He paused again his eye closing as he snarled at Damok who was threatening to use his hand again though he would never succeed.

"Unfortunately no place is secure no matter how well you try to secure it, especially given some of the background of some members of the crew." Jackie replied, "however I don't take intruders or traitors lightly, I assure you" she added, "and in your case I will make sure you two are protected whilst on the Horizon. "But in order for me to help you and have the Horizon better prepared, I will of course need to know of your enemies in order to assess the situation" She said, placing her hands into a triangle above her desk as she looked at QaDghab. "My responsibility is to the crew of the Horizon, whether they're Klingon officers or not" she said

He nodded, sitting. "In the last 86 years I've made many enemies. I could not name all, but I will tell you at the top of list of most concern is the House Dur'al, as well as the few remaining survivors of Cardassian and Romulan families that saw my hand of death." He now said also in reference to a Raid he had participated in on a Romulan World after his first wife was killed.

"I don't take any Cardassian or Romulan lightly..." Jackie noted, trying to hide her anger but her eyes gave it away, flashing pure rage and anger briefly, she curled her hands into fists and let out a low growl before shaking off the feeling and moving on.

"Tell me about the House of Dur'al." she said, "their resources, where they operate, any intel I can use." she asked, her tone still straightened as she fought off memories threatening to engulf her any moment.

QaDghab sighed, "I have little. Their place of operation is unknown, their resources are unknown. Only thing known for sure is that they are willing to go to extremes to gain power, even so far as to kill off opposing Houses and they are good at hiding in the shadows. This is not something you need to get into though..." He suddenly cut off as he leaned over, holding his head, the visions occurring once more, but not as strongly or as influencing as had been in past partly due to him taking something for it now.

"I fear I'm already mixed in with some Klingo..." Jackie trailed off, her ears flickering at the sight of the older Klingon. "QaDghab?" she queried. "it's okay, it's over, you are no longer there" she spoke watching him.

He shook as he took a deep heavy breath, and a few more and after a moment of strugle looked up. "Did you receive an implant during your captivity?" He asked, wandering.... remembering something someone had said to him.

Jackie frowned, not really liking where the conversation was heading.

"They had attempted, but my physiology rejected it ." she said, "He had other plans for me after that" she spoke in a curt tone, glancing at a pile of beans on her desk, she promptly picked up several of them and popped them into her mouth. "But...whatever doesn't kill one only makes one stronger" she said.

He started to get up again. "Forgive me Admiral, I should not have asked." He said in as close as a good human manner as he knew. Same time in back of his mind he was thinking, she was lucky. "Do you have anything else to speak to me about sir?"

Jackie waved it off, nibbling on another bean in silence for a moment as she recollected her thoughts. The Caitian tapped at a console in front of her bringing up a report before replying.

“It’s fine, not something I discuss too openly, but it’s fine.” she reassured him. “It’s part of my life and record same as your experiences are a part of yours. I picked up the betleH because of what happened on Cardassia” she said, popping another bean into her mouth.

“Keep me informed on what’s going on with you and your daughter” she said, “anything suspicious report back to me right away, I might need more information from either of you. And QaDghab. You might want to share your experiences with your daughter; she will help you deal better, if you are not comfortable talking to the counsellor of myself.”


He nodded silently before speaking, "Understand.... I have spoken to her about it some..." He paused with a sigh, "But she was not there. I can not expect her to know what it was like in their hands." He said as his mind drifted off a moment. He then brought his mind back for the moment. "Try grounding and brewing the qa'vIn beans, can also add liquor to make ra'taj, or nut-extract and cream for raktajino. If brew you will need 4 times as much as used for human coffee." He said, giving her the instructions to make it. He then started to head for the door, forgetting that he should wait to be dismissed.

Jackie nodded, “well you’re always free to discuss it with me” she said, “I’ve been there, not for as long as you, but…” she trailed off picking at the beans again, “ yeah… humans can’t possibly call what they brew coffee, that just doesn’t have the same kick” she said, switching the subject quickly. “I’ll see about brewing it, although raw it is a fair taste as well” she said. “I quite like it” She admitted, “Thanks QaDghab” she noted as the Klingon headed out the door.

OFF:
JP between QaDghab and Jackie Clawson

[Jackie Clawson]

ON:

<<USS Horizon – Holodeck 2 – During the arrival of M’Karrl R’pas>>

K'Vok swung a single mek'leH around gracefully as he waited for Clawson to arrive. He had brought replicated armour that he thought might fit her, but he wasn't sure with the tail and everything. As well, he had brought his other mek'leH. Normally, he practiced with both, but today he would practice with a single one to teach the Kitty with a single blade.
Clad in the now familiar navy jumpsuit she wore during the tournament matches, Jackie swung her betleH around keeping it to her side as she made her way towards the holodecks not quite sure if she should do this, but then again after spending 16 hours on the bridge and in the ready room given what has transpired today alone, she could afford to take some time off and practice a little.

Approaching the holodeck, Jackie casually glanced around before slipping inside gripping the blade in one hand. She saw K'Vok skillfully swinging the smaller blade around ; Jackie couldn't help but smile at the agility and gracefulness of the half breed. Deciding not to interrupt, the Caitian silently observer her Chief of Operations as his blade sliced the air.

K'Vok noticed the door open, but didn't stop as he went through the motions, fighting an invisible enemy with all his power and passion. In the end, he spun around, and swung the mek'leH down in what would be mere inches in front of the Caitian's face.

Jackie's betleH came up on instinct making contact with K'Vok's mek'leH as she gripped her blade in both hands. The Caitian smiled, her fangs visible to the half breed.

"Trying to kill your Commanding Officer, Mr K'vok?" Jackie asked, a sly smile playing on her lips as her gaze met his over the crossed blades. "A good start, but I learned to be on guard when there are people wielding weapons in the same room as me, a long time ago" she said lowering the blade and stepping aside. “Safer that way.”

"You do have an interesting style with that blade" the Caitian noted with approval as she flipped her betleH over.

"Always start with the first lesson, be on your guard. As for my style...it works." K'Vok pulled the blade back and handed it to her. "This is a mek'leH, it is a strong weapon alone, it is a powerful weapon with a mate." K'Vok said, pulling out his second mek'leH.
"Like warriors, one warrior alone can win a battle, but two warriors can win many battles. The mek'leH alone can hold it's own against a bat'leH, but only in the hands of a master can it defeat the larger bat'leH. Two mek'leH's in the hand of a decent warrior stands the chance of someone holding a bat'leH. One compensates for the weakness of the other, and together they are strong."

Jackie propped her blade up by one of the walls and took the mek'leH in her grasp. She closed her eyes carefully weighing the blade in her grasp for a few moments before opening her eyes again. It's been at least 6 years since she last held a mek'leH in her hands, it felt slightly alien to her now yet familiar in some way.

"Reminds me of the time I broke my betleH when fighting Ta'pez during the tournament" she spoke thoughtfully just before she took a test swing with the smaller blade. "Yep" she confirmed, reaching up to straiten up the jumpsuit a bit, remembering how she had to compensate for the broken edge of her betleH during that match.

"Now, since you don't like things which complicate things, I'm only going to teach you to use one." K'Vok explained, smirking slightly, "Do you know the basics? Or should I go over the holds and such?"

" Basics... let's see... pointy end goes into the other man?" Jackie smiled. “I know that”
She held up a hand to correct K’Vok’s statement.
"I never said I don't like things which complicate things. I just don't like...relationships of that sort because they complicate matters that much more...." She corrected him. "There's always a better way to hold a weapon to compensate for your own weight and for your enemy's weapon and weight" Jackie recalled her security training, although she figured with Klingon weapons it was slightly different in some ways. "but go over the holds and whatnot so that we've got that covered." she said nodding a little.

"Get some armour on and we'll start...I think I got your size right, but your tail is going to be unprotected if it fits in the hole." K'Vok said, suddenly realizing she wasn't wearing armour, that would change the holds and freedom of movement. "Cheap replica, but suitable for our purposes."
"Armour? What for?" Jackie asked taken aback by that particular request. "I fight like this" she gestured at her jumpsuit. "Did okay at the tourney" she said, not quite sure exactly why he wanted her to wear the armour, yes there was the protection part of it, but Jackie couldn't imagine herself wearing Klingon armour; that was just not exactly her style.

K'Vok growled, "Put on the armour, kitty. It's good protection, it's also to keep you on your toes. Federation clothes are too comfortable."

"Hey it's practical..." Jackie said, gesturing at her jumpsuit, "I've never worn Klingon armour" she admitted, "don't even know where to begin putting it on. It's a whole...other art it seems at times" she said.
"Pants first, then tunic...I would be careful with your breasts in the tunic, it doesn't give much room for movement." K'Vok explained, watching her. "And Starfleet uniforms are hardly practical, they give no defence against blades or energy weapons of any sort."

"Keeps us on our toes. Don’t get hit by blades or energy weapons in the first place, so you wont require the armour." Jackie smirked, clicking her tongue against her teeth as she handed back the mek'leth to K'Vok and looked over the armour.

She wrinkled her nose slightly as she looked it over.

'You're kidding....' she thought shaking her head; still not picturing herself in one of those. With a sigh she reached for the armour casting a side glance at the half Klingon. It took her close to ten minutes of struggling to get the entire armour over her jumpsuit. K’Vok wasn’t kidding, the thing was tight.

"How do you folks walk around in these things?" she spoke up after catching her breath and arranging the tunic so it wouldn't cut off the air in her chest. "Although suppose after some time it's like a second skin" she added, discarding the thought of how ridiculous she must've looked right about now.

"Move around a little and you'll get the feel of it. Although, now you look like a warrior." K'Vok grinned, "Perhaps I could train you to become a true warrior." He swung the mek'leH around a few times, smiling as he watched the kitty move in the armour. There was nothing quite like a hot cat in shiny armour.

"Looks have nothing to do with how you fight." Jackie replied, flexing her arms a bit. "Else I'm fairly certain Ta'pez must've been a bit embarrassed to get his butt handed to him by a Caitian" She smirked, "I have my own style, the armour seems to kill a few of my natural instinctive moves" she remarked managing to do a somersault and barely landing on her feet.

"Perhaps, then, it is time you learn to rely on different moves, rather than taking those for granted." K'Vok replied, "If you want, I can fight without my tunic."

Jackie fixed the exchange officer with a look.

"K'Vok. I've relied on different moves most of my life" she spoke, her tone slightly strained. "Adjusting strategy as things move along around me and circumstances change within a second. Mark taught me that."

She picked up the blade, tightening the grip and gave the Klingon a curt nod signalling she was ready to begin.

"Then don't whine about losing your natural instinctive moves. Hold the mek'leH like you would a human sword. Now, I'm going to attack you, block me." K'Vok said, bringing his blade up and swinging it down at the Admiral's head.

"I'm not whining" Jackie growled as she brought the blade up to block his. "I'm just making an observation" she added, her eyes fixed on K'Vok.

"You were whining. Move your arm down or the next hit could hyper extend your shoulder. I don't want to be blamed for hurting you." K'Vok twisted the blade, then swung the same attack at her other side.

"Are you trying to anger me?" Jackie queried slightly amused, swiftly changing positions and bringing her blade up to meet his incoming hit. "Trying to bring out my....wild side again?" she bared her fangs for a brief moment as her eyes narrowed. "Don't worry about hurting me." she stated in a set tone, "I'm used to it"

K'Vok laughed, then aimed down at the midsection. "Wild side is good for you. Don't fight it, let it out."

Jackie jumped back, raising her blade to protect herself.

"That's not the only side I have" she spoke, "You've just seen one or two sides, but have you looked deeper than that?" she asked.

"Would you let me if I tried? You block me at every turn." K'Vok replied, thrusting the mek'leH at Jackie with a grunt.

"How am I blocking you?" Jackie asked, jumping back from the incoming hit and at the same time thrusting her mek'leth forward only to have it come off not as a strong thrust as she hoped. She blew a loose strand of hair out of her face as she faced K'Vok "What've you tried so far?"

K'Vok blocked the thrust, then spun the blade and hit Jackie with the blunt side of the mek'leH. "You always get defensive. You turn into your calm, cold side, say you're stressed and that everything complicates things. This is the first time I've been able to talk to you without you turning everything to business since I got aboard."

Jackie staggered at the hit, raising her own mek'leth she returned the favour, copying K'Vok's move.

"Yes, K'Vok. that's what I do when I am 'off duty' I try not to talk business" she said, smiling a little, "most of the time that is" she added. "And not everything complicates things.. just... certain things" she said.

K'Vok laughed as he blocked, then went to slice her side again. "And when are you off-duty? Aside from the tournament, drinks last night and this, how often are you off duty for any reason aside from sleep?" The half-breed asked, "Because pretty blue boy made it sound like never, and you have a rumour for being a workaholic."

Jackie averted the incoming hit, and thrust her own mek'leth forward; their blades met with a sharp clang. The Caitian grunted.

"When time permits" Jackie spoke in reply.

K'Vok spun the blade, twisting Clawson's away. "Not bad for a start, Admiral. Although you need to do better. You'll learn in time. As for time, you can't work all the time."


Jackie's mek'leth clattered to the ground, she jumped to retrieve it.

"I can't, but I have to." she replied. "been doing it for 12 years ongoing.." she shrugged a bit "I don't have much choice" she added flipping the blade in her hands as she took a closer look at it

"All the other Starfleet officers have lives. If it's been 12 years, you can't claim it's just because of your task force." K'Vok replied, slicing at the admiral's neck. "Come on, Kitty, give me a good reason."

Jackie thrust the blade up to protect herself, K'Vok's blade caught hers. Jackie winced slightly as the loud clanking sound reached her ears.

"My past's not something I talk about openly" she replied keeping a straight face on as she tightened the grip on her blade and thrust it at K'Vok.

"I told you my deep dark secret." K'Vok said, blocking, and then hit Clawson again, "What's so bad about yours?"
"Complicated." Jackie responded, coming up with a series of hits aimed at K'Vok, "very few know, even fewer understand" she replied. "And I'm not too fond of bringing up my past" she shifted her position, "we're not in the past now..." she said, trying to steer the subject away, "now it's the Horizon, and Task Force 58 and the Raeyan Sector"

"Can't hide from the past. It's like denying your heritage." K'Vok replied, blocking each one before he punched at Jackie's face. "Don't forget to block other things."

"Not hiding, just not living in it anymore" Jackie said, shaking off the punch; without a warning she kicked K'Vok in the side before swinging her blade up. "Times were different then...people responsible have been dealt with. Even if it didn't help much in the long run. " her tone took on a darker shade as she continued, her grip tighter on her blade "They should all die" she growled, swinging the blade with a stronger force.

"Who should die? Why do you do this, fight with a bat'leH?" K'Vok asked, grunting slightly because of the kick. Then he swung a punch into her stomach before swinging with his mek'leH.

"Those who get in the way..." Jackie said, catching her breath, she leapt back but caught a part of the punch in the stomach, but surprisingly the armour protected her for most part. "Good way to keep myself in shape." Jackie spoke, before raising her blade to deflect his mek'leth and then swinging her blade at him, "My former Commanding Officer introduced me to it actually" she said, "to help me... " she was about to say something further but trailed off instead

K'Vok blocked, then pushed her back and kicked at her legs, knocking her down. He swung down at her, stopping just short of her neck, "I think that's enough for today."

Jackie looked up from the floor as her blade clattered to the ground next to her.

"oh why...?" she queried, looking up at him, certain fire in her eyes. "tired already?" she asked, grinning slyly, before kicking out at his legs and knocking him down on the floor next to her. "Never underestimate your.. prey" she spoke, her fangs gleaming.

K'Vok growled and grabbed his d'k tagh, pulling it out. "Alright, claws on blade."

Jackie caught her breath, the grin disappearing quickly as she caught sight of the blade. For a moment there was fear in her eyes that was quickly replaced by something else.

'eeeeasy.....' she heard Harmon's voice in her mind as her eyes locked onto the blade.

Jackie flinched, her fists balled up, she blinked, "there's no need for the Daqtagh" she spoke, her tone quieter. "ok, it's enough for today" she added as she got up, averting her eyes from the blade as she retrieved the mek'eth whilst trying to keep her cool and hoping he's not noticed.

"Is there a problem?" K'Vok asked, sheathing his blade. "Even most humans do not react like that." The half-breed looked at the Caitian carefully. This woman was definitely a mystery, something he would have to investigate more thoroughly while perusing her.

"Not anymore" Jackie spoke, clearly relieved, she looked down, realizing she'd had her hand tight on her stomach as an impulse, she released it shaking her head a bit.

"Been on the receiving end of one of those things on Cardassia years ago when I was a Lieutenant" she said, nodding a bit at the sheathed blade. "Cardassians have their... ways..." she smiled wearily, "the Daqtagh was meant to be the final blow. Especially given he stabbed first, then the smaller blades popped out whilst the thing was inside" she said, wincing slightly at the memory, but kept her face straight for most part "course he didn't think Mark'd come and that just made the game more... fun for him after that"

She leant against a bulkhead as memories flooded in, her ears flickering at the sounds and sights in her mind, Jackie fought them off before moving on.

"One of the reasons I picked up the betleH" she said, "well Mark insisted, considering I wasn't too hot on any kind of blades after that. Wasn't too hot on much after that, I just wanted to get back to work, but he wouldn't let me. It's a sign of weakness, I know" she looked up, smiling sadly. "but nevertheless a fear I had to get over considering my job position, and I did with time; just not... fully with the Daqtagh yet I guess.” she shook her head, "but... it's... past" she said, waving a hand in the air, "has a tendency to haunt one at times, it does"

K'Vok looked at the Admiral carefully, his mind racing. "No warrior is fearless, but a warrior overcomes the fear. I feared my heritage, insanity...I'm facing that, you should face the d'k tagh." Cracking his neck slightly, he headed for the door. "Again, in two days. Unless you want to talk before that."

"One blade at a time, K'Vok" Jackie smiled wearily, "I'm ok with everything but that Daqtagh now" she spoke, "it'll come, given time" she shrugged, "you should've seen me when I first saw the betleH. " Jackie let out a small laugh "Mark had a hard time calming me down enough so I'll stop clawing him" she shook her head at that particular memory. “Sometimes I’m not sure how he put up with me.”

She took in a small breath of air, steadying herself, "two day's fine. Thanks for the workout" she said, "I doubt there's much to talk about" she said, "unless you have... suggestions"

The answer came to her in the form of the holodeck doors shutting behind the half Klingon.

Jackie sighed and picked up her betleH swung it around getting to feel the armour she still wore before she launched her training program.

OFF:

Joint post by K’Vok and Jackie Clawson

Tag Grenn and R’Pas. Show me your stuff.. just don’t laugh at the armour :P or R’Pas… first impressions.. you be pirate I be Klingon with a huge ass blade. ^^ Yaaarrrrr matey!

[Grenn]

<<USS Horizon – Holodeck 2 Corridor>>

J'al and M'karll were walking up to the holodeck talking about old times, and about a few family members. J'al had an appointment shortly to start with some helm training in there with the Captain, and he figured he may as well introduce his cousin and now fellow crewmember at the same time. He thought he saw K'Vok walking away from them for a brief moment, but no matter.

They stopped at the door, and J'al noticed the panel's display. "Hey, there's a program running. Go figure." he said, tapping a few keys to open the door. He figured the Captain was in there messing around with something.

As both of them walked in, they spotted Jackie halfway acros a room doing what he could only assume was a fighting training program from the looks of it. She was doing moves with a Bat'Leth, and even odder then that was wearing Klingon armor.

Both of them stood there for a moment, not saying anything. J'al swore he heard a slight chuckle from M'Karll, and kept anything similar to himself.

(Continued in the JP "Meeting of the Caitians"

OFF: Tag to Jackie/M'Karll (Perhaps a 3 person JP in the JP section :))

[Alex Chadwick]

ON:<sickbay uss horizon>

Alex rubbed at his sore shoulder as he made his way toward the sickbay on the ship.Klingons packed one hell of a punch and alex loved to piss them off.

He laughed slightly to himself as he rounded the corner and came to the door marked sickbay.He tried to enter but it was locked sold.

"This door should never be locked." Alex frowned to think what could happen if someone injured encountered a locked door to sickbay.He tried to see if his command codes were in the system yet.

"Computer unlock door 3867 authorization Chadwick alpha four six bravo."

The door beep and quickly slid open.Alex peeked his head inside and could see nothing.He walked slowly inside and could hear sounds coming from the doctors office.

"What the hell is going on here!" Alex said as he saw to people on the floor in a state of compromise. "Both of you get up and get dressed!.."

Alex paused he knew who they both were...and one of them should be dead.....

"Oh my god.......you did it didn't you!You sick son of a bitch!" Alex pulled the man he knew as Doctor Michael lynch to his feet. "What the hell have you done!" He said enraged as he looked at the image of the woman he used to love.

The doctor for his part had turned a deathly pale white and weas shaking as the large chadwick held him several inches off the deck.

"It's not what you think alex!"The troubled doctor managed to eek out before alex dropped him to the floor and walked toward what appeared to be shelly....

"Shelly?..."Alex reached out with his hand to the woman.

The doctor jumped to his feet and stumbled backwards as alex said her name.

"You shouldn't have did that!She wasn't ready to remember everything."Michael held his hand over his mouth as the EMH now saying her real life name over and over began to shake and grab at her head.

"Her name was the trigger word to make her remember everything...she wasn't ready yet."

Alex turned to the doctor and scowled."Shut IT off......now!"
Micheal walked to the control panel that held the holomatrix.

"The only way to shut her off is to pull the matrix..it could kill her."Michael said hesitating.

Alex scowled again."She already is dead!"

OFF:Part II in a bit.

[Kathryn Williams]

<<Starbase Bravo - 6 Hours after Horizon's Departure>>

The USS Fedora arrives at Starbase Bravo carrying a new infusion of replacement crew for the Raeya Sector fresh from Earth, all eagerly awaiting their first deep-space assignment. Among them, Ensign Kathryn Williams is awaiting her new assignment on the USS Horizon as the Assistant Chief Medical Officer.

=^= Ensign Williams, please report to Sickbay. =^= came over her communicator as she was finishing packing her things in her quarters on the Fedora.

=^= Acknowledged. =^= she replied, and headed out the door to sickbay. After a few moments traveling in the turbolift, she arrived at Sickbay, and found the CMO awaiting her.

"Ensign, there's been a change of plans. Because of the delays at previous rendezvous and Xavier Fleet Yards before traveling here, we have fallen behind schedule. The Horizon left six hours ago from port. and is currently en route to its first destination," Lt. Commander Grant informed Kathryn.

"Commander, what is going to happen regarding my transfer?" Kathryn replied.

"Well, that's the tricky part. The Fedora is returning to XFY through the portal, and won't be able to rendezvous with the Horizon and maintain our schedule. Fortunately, there is a runabout heading in the Horizon's direction that's leaving in one hour that has a spot for you. Here's all the information you will need, including your transfer orders. One hour, Starbase Runabout Dock 5. Don't be late," Grant said.

"I won't, sir. Thanks for the information," Kathryn replied, as she turned to head to the door. After walking several feet, she stopped and turned towards the Commander. "And Commander, it's been a pleasure serving with you."

"And the same with you. Good luck out there," Grant replied. Kathryn turned and walked out the door.

<<Runabout Yalu - Same Time as Chadwick's Discovery in Sickbay>>

"USS Horizon, this is the Runabout Yalu requesting permission to rondevous. We have an Ensign Williams who has been assigned to your ship, and request permission to transfer her aboard," the runabout pilot messaged to the Horizon.

"Very well, Yalu. Prepare for rondezvous. Exiting warp in 30 seconds," the officer on watch on the Horizon Bridge responded. Thirty seconds later, both ships emerged from warp and slowed to 1/2 impulse.

"Ensign Williams, it's that time. Please go to the transporter pad. The loadmaster has already pulled your personal crates out of the hold, and has them there awaiting your arrival," the runabout pilot said.

"Very well," Kathryn replied, and walked to the transporter pad. "Energize when ready," she said to signal her readiness.

<<USS Horizon Transporter Room - Five Seconds Later>>

Kathryn materialized on the transporter pad, and lifted her head. In the room was only the Chief on duty. "Welcome to the Horizon," he said. "A crewman will be here momentarily to help you with your things. The Bridge officer on duty has requested that you wait until the morning before reporting. We're in the middle of Gamma Shift right now."

"Thank you, Chief," Kathryn said as the crewman arrived with a hover dolly to allow Kathryn to move her personal belongings to her new quarters. Kathryn loaded her belongings onto the dolly, and proceeded to her quarters.

<<Outside the Transporter Room>>

"Computer, what room is Ensign Kathryn Williams assigned to?" Kathryn said after tapping a computer console on the wall.

"Deck 3, Cabin 42-Delta," the Computer responded in the standard voice.

"Deck 3 it is, I guess..." Kathryn thought, and proceeded to the turbolift.

<<10 minutes later, Somewhere on Deck 3>>

"Dang it, lost again," Kathryn said as she attempted to find her quarters.

"Excuse me, may I help you, ma'am?" Crewman Silva said as he noticed Kathryn was lost.

"Yes, crewman, can you tell me how to get to 42-Delta?" Kathryn responded.

"42-Delta... that's that way, about 5 doors down on the left," Silva responded as he motioned to his left.

"Thank you, crewman," Kathryn said as she proceeded down the hallway to find her quarters.

OFF:

Yes, I know that was a long opener.

Tag: Silva. Now you can explain why you are walking around in the middle of the night.

[Sammy Jo Swan]

Sammy had been sitting behind the desk going over reports since she had entered the office, she had set an alarm to go off to let her know 30 mins before QaDghab was due for shift. That alarm was now going off, "Dam that has gone quick" she hit the comm button on the panel on the desk and call him. "Ensign Swan to QaDghab lagh"

QaDghab was sitting at a table eating when the call came threw. He responded. "QaDghab here.... and Damok..."

She laughed "Well in that case this is just a friendly reminder that you are both due on duty in 30 minutes"

QaDghab looked at the time on the wall but of course he couldn't read it to well. "Understood. However I can not read the clock."

"I will call you again 5 minutes before your shift, but that is not very long so do not go to sleep" she said with a laugh.

QaDghab grunted.... "Do you have a clock that reads in Klingon?"

"Not yet but i will sort something out for you by the time you start your shift"

He simply grunted as he chewed on a piece of meat... and got up going to her office.

She cut the comm and started to read the reports again, she had a surprise for him when he did get here. She had gotten a wrist watch replicated for him that did indeed tell the time in Klingon.

He was carrying the tray of food with him when he arrived at her office and set it in front of her. "I brought you something to eat."

Sammy looked at the plate of spiced raw meat in front of her, she knew she would have to eat it or he would be offended. "Thank you vav" she said as she cut a piece of the meat and put it in her mouth.

"Made it myself, it is beef with human spices. The sauce is boiled vinegar with 'Iw. He said, using the last word in Klingon so that only if she knew the Klingon word would it bother her.

"Thank you, but you do not have to do this for me all the time vav" she smiled in the hopes he would not be upset by her words. Reaching into the desk draw she pulled out a box and passed it to him. "I had this made for you" she said with a smile

"I enjoy doing it, and you should try Klingon food. It is much better than this."
He said and seeing the box he opened it... seeing the watch he nodded. "Thank you puqbe'" He said as he put it on

She smiled " I had hoped you would like it, and i know you enjoy preparing food. I also promise I will try some real Klingon food again."

He took a bite from the food himself. Setting her ractajino in front of her.

She took the mug and drank deeply, then took another piece of the meat. "So what dish do you intend to try me on next she said with a cheeky grin"

"It will be a surprise." He said ahe gave a toothy Klingon smile.

She returned his smile and continued to eat.

He sat a moment... him mind going into thought. "Have you spoken to your mother recently?"

The smile faded from her face "No not yet"was all she said going suddenly quiet.

"There is something wrong." He asked as his eye studied her.

She stayed quiet and just stared at the mug in her hands.

He watched her. "What is wrong?"

She sighed heavily "Last time we spoke she told me how much shame she felt at my actions, for almost killing my Captain" she still had not looked up from her mug.

He frowned, "Then perhaps I should speak to her."

She was silent a moment . . . . . . . . "She now serves aboard his ship as his advisor" she said with a touch of disgust.

He got a sour face. Perhaps I did not know her as well as I thought.

"She goes where she is sent, I know she is not happy there and to speak to her I would have to first speak to him"

He sighed, "Then I will speak to him as well."

"It should be me . . . . . . I have just been putting it off" she replied as she finally looked up into his face.

He nodded and got up, he back popping.

"Where are you going" she said looking upset.

"No where. My back is stiffening up."

She nodded and started to type a message into the panel in front of her, requesting permission from the Admiral to contact the Vessel her mother was currently serving on. She hit the send button all she had to do now was wait for the reply.

"We will be on bridge duty this shift if you feel up to it" she said with a grin.

QaDghab grinned. "Good."

"good" she said finishing off the raktajino we leave in 10 minutes.

he nodded, "Perhaps you would like to use the holodeck afterwards?"

She nodded "If we did not have a shift to do I would be heading there now" she said still sounding and looking down.

He nodded. then perhaps i can introduce you to Qo'noS.

She nodded she did not care where they went she just needed to get away from here. "That would be fine"

QaDghab nodded and started to head for the door.

She stood and after tidying the desk quickly she followed him "You leaving with out me" she asked.

"It's going to take a few to get up there. I would not want to be late."

"So you leave without me allowing me to be late instead" she said in mock shock.

"Then come with me. I am not keeping you from going." He said, not understanding what the problem was.

She laughed "you will have to get used to human humor vav" she said as she walked out of the office area with him

He laughed.... "Not till the day your blood screams." he said with a chuckle.

She did not understand the meaning behind his words but laughed anyway "You will never fully understand me unless you understand humans better" she said with an evil grin.

"That goes both ways puqbe'," He said even though there were others around.

"That's why I asked you to teach me vav" she said

"And you will be taught." He said as they walked together

She smiled thinking to herself and so will you. "I would hope so after all you made me go through before you would agree to it"

He slapped her on the back with a chuckle... almost knocking her off her feet.

She stepped forwards trying to regain her balance she would need to get used to that too, his strength was coming back with the exercise and training soon he would not only out weigh her but he would once again be much stronger.

He moved some of the grayed hair from his face and pulled out a strip of leather. Starting the tie his hair up.

She watched as he tied his hair back "Why do you do that when you go on duty, there is no need to unless you wish to"

"It keeps it out of way. Most warriors would not do it... but in my family it is a common custom."

"As you wish" she said as they turned and entered the lift "bridge"

He nodded, once hair was up his missing ear was noticeable though... only a nasty scar and hole there. It brought question to whether he still had hearing in that ear to many.

The doors opened and the walked onto the bridge she did not stop to see who was in the command chair, she just headed straight for the tactical station and relieved the officer there once he had given her his report. She did not look round to see if QaDghab had followed her or not she would soon find out.

QaDghab followed her out looking around the bridge once as he went to the station as well and immediately checked the status of the weapons banks and defensive capabilities.

She smiled as he began working straight away, she just hoped that Damok kept quiet.

There were times in working... he did pause briefly him muscles tensing some... but he kept working.

She watched over his shoulder as his fingers sped over the panel making changes where he thought they were needed, this time she did not argue with him over it.

He configured everything to work at the most accuracy possible.

She typed notes into a padd she was carrying using this as a chance to further evaluate his skills she was compiling a report for the Admiral on all her staff but mostly on him as it was his value and acceptability as crew that was being questioned by the councilor.

He finished... and then seemed to been thinking about something a moment as he looked at the controls on the command chair. "Like typical federation systems.... there are no back ups."

"Back-up's for what she asked" following the line of his gaze

"Back ups for the systems, should battle take any out they should have something to compensate."

"There are secondary systems that come-on line when needed"

He frowned.... "Then why are they not detectable... are the other stations fit to take over the weapon's system?"

"The engineering console can do so if needed" she said wondering why he was worried about these things.

He seemed satisfied with that answer. "Good. Only think missing is a turret." he said with a chuckle... referring to a Klingon ship.

She laughed " A Turret would look rather out of place on a vessel like this don't you think"

He looked around him. "Yes, but it would be like old times." He laughed.

She laughed and slapped him on the shoulder "Just concentrate on the here and now old man" she said with a wink.

He nodded and went back to looking at the station.... this time going threw some tactical moved on the screen.

Again she watched and took notes of the changes he made as he made any.

He ran several battle scenes threw the computer. But he would not let it come up with answers itself as he responded the maneuvers he cam up with, testing them for likelihood of working.

She grinned as she watched, she was also listening out for anyone questioning why there were either two officers at this station or why QaDghab was there at all as he was on restricted duties.

He started to mutter softly to himself as he worked. The tactical plans he worked out were well developed.... though like with many Klingon was bit brutal.

She looked at the plans he was going through and winced, that was not the way the federation dealt with things. "QaDghab this is a federation vessel we try to disable our enemies rather than destroy them" she whispered.

"That is only a matter of changing the target." he said even as he adjusted some of them.

"Good" she replied "now run a full diagnostic on all the ships weapons please"

"That has already been done," he said as he pointed to one of the controls which was not normally used for it, but could be if routed enough..

"Bring up the results please" she asked she had not seen him do that she would have to watch him closer.

He pressed tapped the keys an it showed on screen.

All weapons were running at 99.7% effiency "good" was her only reply

He finished what he was doing... showing her some of the tactical ideas... only he had adjusted then at her comment about wanting to disable them... rather than destroy.

She looked over the ideas they were good " save the plans onto the computer we will show them to the Chief once he returns" she said.

He nodded, and watched the crew around the bridge. Not aware that his look could be unsettling.


A Joint Post by

QaDghab lagh

and

[Devid Silva]

<<Starbase Bravo - 6 Hours after Horizon's Departure>>

The USS Fedora arrives at Starbase Bravo carrying a new infusion of replacement crew for the Raeya Sector fresh from Earth, all eagerly awaiting their first deep-space assignment. Among them, Ensign Kathryn Williams is awaiting her new assignment on the USS Horizon as the Assistant Chief Medical Officer.

=^= Ensign Williams, please report to Sickbay. =^= came over her communicator as she was finishing packing her things in her quarters on the Fedora.

=^= Acknowledged. =^= she replied, and headed out the door to sickbay. After a few moments traveling in the turbolift, she arrived at Sickbay, and found the CMO awaiting her.

"Ensign, there's been a change of plans. Because of the delays at previous rendezvous and Xavier Fleet Yards before traveling here, we have fallen behind schedule. The Horizon left six hours ago from port. and is currently en route to its first destination," Lt. Commander Grant informed Kathryn.

"Commander, what is going to happen regarding my transfer?" Kathryn replied.

"Well, that's the tricky part. The Fedora is returning to XFY through the portal, and won't be able to rendezvous with the Horizon and maintain our schedule. Fortunately, there is a runabout heading in the Horizon's direction that's leaving in one hour that has a spot for you. Here's all the information you will need, including your transfer orders. One hour, Starbase Runabout Dock 5. Don't be late," Grant said.

"I won't, sir. Thanks for the information," Kathryn replied, as she turned to head to the door. After walking several feet, she stopped and turned towards the Commander. "And Commander, it's been a pleasure serving with you."

"And the same with you. Good luck out there," Grant replied. Kathryn turned and walked out the door.

<<Runabout Yalu - Same Time as Chadwick's Discovery in Sickbay>>

"USS Horizon, this is the Runabout Yalu requesting permission to rondevous. We have an Ensign Williams who has been assigned to your ship, and request permission to transfer her aboard," the runabout pilot messaged to the Horizon.

"Very well, Yalu. Prepare for rondezvous. Exiting warp in 30 seconds," the officer on watch on the Horizon Bridge responded. Thirty seconds later, both ships emerged from warp and slowed to 1/2 impulse.

"Ensign Williams, it's that time. Please go to the transporter pad. The loadmaster has already pulled your personal crates out of the hold, and has them there awaiting your arrival," the runabout pilot said.

"Very well," Kathryn replied, and walked to the transporter pad. "Energize when ready," she said to signal her readiness.

<<USS Horizon Transporter Room - Five Seconds Later>>

Kathryn materialized on the transporter pad, and lifted her head. In the room was only the Chief on duty. "Welcome to the Horizon," he said. "A crewman will be here momentarily to help you with your things. The Bridge officer on duty has requested that you wait until the morning before reporting. We're in the middle of Gamma Shift right now."

"Thank you, Chief," Kathryn said as the crewman arrived with a hover dolly to allow Kathryn to move her personal belongings to her new quarters. Kathryn loaded her belongings onto the dolly, and proceeded to her quarters.

<<Outside the Transporter Room>>

"Computer, what room is Ensign Kathryn Williams assigned to?" Kathryn said after tapping a computer console on the wall.

"Deck 3, Cabin 42-Delta," the Computer responded in the standard voice.

"Deck 3 it is, I guess..." Kathryn thought, and proceeded to the turbolift.

<<10 minutes later, Somewhere on Deck 3>>

"Dang it, lost again," Kathryn said as she attempted to find her quarters.

"Excuse me, may I help you, ma'am?" Crewman Silva said as he noticed Kathryn was lost.

"Yes, crewman, can you tell me how to get to 42-Delta?" Kathryn responded.

"42-Delta... that's that way, about 5 doors down on the left," Silva responded as he motioned to his left.

"Thank you, crewman," Kathryn said as she proceeded down the hallway to find her quarters.

OFF:

Yes, I know that was a long opener.

Tag: Silva. Now you can explain why you are walking around in the middle of the night.


Devid watches as the ensign walks down to 42 Delta. Devid had been up the past couple of nights as he is unused to being on a starship.

Devid walks to the wall panel. Computer please inform me when first shirt starts.

Devid walked down to his quarters, opens the door walks in to his quarters. He lifts up the PADD waiting on his desk and starts reading correspondence from home. Midway through the first page Devid falls asleep

[Jackie Clawson]

<< USS Horizon -- Holodeck 2 >>

Jackie?s ears flickered at the sound of the holodeck doors opening; her concentration not faltering the Caitian swung the blade around executing a series of moves to fend off an incoming blade hoisted by a hologram on the opposing end of hers.

The Klingon armour did kill quite a considerable amount of her natural reflexes and instincts, but the Caitian knew with time she?d overcome that particular obstacle; although she wasn?t too fond off wearing the armour, and she could only guess at the reaction of most of her crew should they see her in Klingon armour; she got enough curious looks just carrying the betleH K?Hare had given her.

?It?s a good look on you, Cap?n. Not one I?d have expected, but a good look nonetheless.? She heard a voice coming up from a short distance. Jackie swung the blade up catching her opponent?s blade then thrust her blade forward pushing her opponent away. ?Wasn?t my idea, J?al? she spoke, her tail flickering behind her.

?Computer! Freeze program? she announced without a pause, she whirled around facing the duo; slightly raising an eyebrow at the newcomer.

?Rear Admiral Jackie Clawson, don?t mind the armour.? She said before he could ask anything about the armour, Jackie flipped her betleH over to hold it in one hand as she reached out to shake M?Karll?s hand.

"Yar-har, do ye always wear Klingon battle armor? Ensign M'karll R'pas, reportin' fer duty, cap'n. As fer the uniform, I usually only wear the earrings, once in a blue moon the eye patch, and I keep the pendant out of sight underneath my uniform... good luck charm, me hearty," M'karll replied, with a grin. The Klingon armor certainly did look better on the Admiral than it would have on a Klingon, given its design and all. "J'al here be me cousin," he continued, thumping J'al on the back and causing the taller, but smaller, Caitian to advance a step. While M'karll was easily shorter than Jackie and J'al it was readily apparent to anyone that he was much bulkier than they were as a result from spending a lot of time in the weight room and some legal supplements for strength enhancement.

?Welcome aboard, I hope this isn?t the look you?re going to be wearing on duty all the time, Mr R?pas.? She spoke, a slight smirk, knowing that the statement looked a little silly coming from someone dressed in Klingon armour and with a betleH right now. Then again maybe it wasn?t so silly.

"No, and I dont usually fight in it either" Jackie noted, "My chief of ops insisted I wear this" she said, "I keep wondering what else he'll suggest...." she added, 'and what else I'll agree to....' she added silently as she watched the playful display as R'Pas thumped his cousin on the back.

"Try not to overdo it with the pirate talk and actions on the bridge,"Jackie smirked, "this is after all the Flagship of a Task Force, I'm going to have my tail by Mark alone, not even going to mention the rest of Starfleet." she said, referring to her former Commanding Officer. She smirked, recalling the time he semi-chewed her out for flying the Horizon, not that she listened...much.

Although one had to wonder, the crew she had aboard thus far were easily misfits. K'Vok, QaDghab, Chadwick, to name just two of her senior staff. She let out a low 'mrr' as she flipped her blade over to her other hand and gripped it tighter.

"Interesting good luck charm" she added, "Any particular reason you consider it your good luck charm?" she asked.

M'karll puffed himself up as big as he could and held his paws out in front of him, fingers spread and claws out adopting the most evil look possible for the tiger-looking Caitian. "Because I killed it's previous owner and ate his liver," he growled in a low deadly tone.

Suddenly, he straightened back up and grinned, looking thoughtful. "Actually, it was quite good with onions," he admitted with a shrug and a laugh.

Apparently, the others didn't think M'karll was quite as funny as he found himself. "The real reason is that during my Academy days my training squadron was known as the 'Wildcats' because we were all Caitians. Since tattoo's don't really take all that well to fur we decided that lucky charms were the way to go. Since I was the only one with any black fur I was automatically dubbed the 'Black Cat'. Now, I have the pendant as a good luck charm." M'karll put the pendant back underneath his uniform.

Jackie smirked, "You got lucky all right" she noted, "I was the only Caitian in my academy days and my Renegades days" she said, referring to the squadron she led on the USS Rayden. "Seems kinda ironic there are three of us aboard the Horizon now" she noted, 'and two Klingon Defence Force exchange officers....and a bunch of looneys...' she thought wryly.

"Well, there are whole families of our people serving in the fleet now. My brother K'entwick is the XO on the Ajax, Lieutenant Commander. My auntie M'esserri serves on DS-7 along with my cousins Yolen'da and R'alka. P'rraml was on the Mahan, but he's retired from the fleet. So did L'san, he was the Columbus' XO for awhile. S'leyvas was over in Obsidian for awhile, but now he's persuing research and playing baseball with, among others, one of the relatives of Captain Sisko's wife."

Jackie nodded, "indeed" she noted lightly, "I just haven't encountered many of our people on my previous postings. Well there was one on the engineering crew on the Kenzington back when I...." Jackie trailed off catching her breath for a moment, she shook her head pushing away a slew of memories; the hold on her betleH tightened as she continued easily slipping back into her usual self.

"No Caitains on the Rayden aside myself, no other officers puilling double duty there also" Jackie smirked. "So how come you're not flying fighters anymore?" she asked, "I know J'al's story," she cast a sideglance at the other Caitian, "although even he wants to go back in the pilot's seat, which is understandable completely." Jackie smiled a knowing smile.

"Yar, well durin' training I ran me Redmption into the side of one o' the vessels at Earth Station McKinly. The brass was a might ticked, and made me a glorified bus driver instead, though I am fighter certified and starship certified up to Sovereign-Class," M'karll replied.

Jackie smirked, "yeah I flew a Sovereign over to Star Base Bravo from the betleH Tournament." she said, "J'al here is going to get certificated to fly the Horizon and transfer to Helm; can't let a Rear Admiral have all the fun now can you, Grenn?" Jackie smirked pointing one of the edges of her betleH at her Chief Intel Officer.

"Wouldn't dream of it." J'al said, as his cousin continued.

"He's probably tryin' ta be jus' like his little cousin," M'karll replied smoothly, cutting J'al off with a grin. "But even me hearty cousin can't do this, matey." Seemingly from nowhere the tigerish Caitian produced a dagger about eight inches long, appearing out of hisleft sleeve. The weapon was wickedly curved, the handle was made of ivory and carved to resemble a tiger complete with obsidian overlay for the stripes. "Ye have a nice lookin' curvy sword there, but I prefer me dagger." With a small twitch, the dagger disappeared back up the sleeve and into its sheath.

"Unless you're security or KDF or the situation warrants it, no weapons on duty" Jackie spoke sharply, "'I prefer claws." she gave the newcomer a sly grin, "J'al will explain i'm sure"

"You know.... I was flying fighters before you were. Remember Galm Squadron on the Yorktown? I think we still hold a few combat records that your team couldn't quite meet." he said, accentuing the word your and poking his cousin in the chest with one claw.

M'Karll turned back towards the Captain and continued "Before I forget, I know I get ta name the shuttles on 'ere. Tradition and all that. So, here's the list of names. Page two is a work order to get everything switched over. Page three is me reportin' orders," M'karll said with a slight bow as he handed the PADD over.

She shifted the betleH from one side to the other, "I'm not exactly on duty at the moment, hence the blade and the...Klingon armour" she noted as she took the PADD, "I'm sure Starfleet would object where i to be on duty in this" she noted as she skimmed through the contents of the PADD.

Jackie raised an eyebrow at the names of the shuttles, "any particular reason for these names and your...avid interest in Earth's pirates?" she asked her eyes on the PADD as she read the contents.

"I may have to change those names if I get the position." J'al said, leaning over by his cousin and speaking lowley into his ear. He knew that that would get him a bit riled.

"O'er me dead body, matey," M'karll roared, thumping J'al on the back again. "I believe the tradtion states that the names be stayin' til the one what did the namin' is gone," M'karll said with a good natured chuckle.

Jackie looked up at the rivalry between the two males; she couldn't help but shake her head a little as she continued reading the PADD.

"Or the Commanding Officer overrides 'em..." she remarked matter-o-factly as she looked up and clicked her tongue against her teeth; casually going back to the PADD after tactfully reminding them who was in charge, even if she wore Klingon armour and hefted a betleH right now.

"Or that," M'karll admitted, making a note to stash the dagger in his quarters after the meeting. Allowing the wrinkle heads to carry their weapons and not him seemed like a double standard, but far be it from M'karll to raise a stink about that. "As for the pirates, well they've always interested me, me hearty."

"Always?" Jackie raised an eyebrow, slightly amused, "what peaqued your interest in them enough to want to name shuttles after them?" she asked, trying hard to picture one of these shuttles out there with a name like R'Pas proposed, oh sure the pirates wouldn't be after 'em in a jiffy.

M'karll nodded in response to Jackie's question. "When I was a wee tot me parents showed me a pirate holovid, and I been hooked ever since. Fascinatin' bunch really, politically speakin' they was way ahead of their time... what with running their ships in a democratic method and all."

"Well to each our own." she spoke, "although I'm the one to speak" the Caitian Admiral smirked. She flipped the PADD over then caught it. " Okay then," she said, "everything should be all set. Watch out for wandering Klingons counting heads and a couple of other crazies, otherwise I think you should fit right in" she paused, "although with humans..." she shrugged "never know" she tapped the PADD confirming the text thus giving her okay on things.

"I hope your... pirate expertise will come in handy in the Raeyan Sector; although I'm sure with shuttles named as such we have to be careful out there."

"I'm always careful, Cap'n," M'karll replied. Then he chuckled. "Ok, so I couldn't say that one widda straight face, but the Marines'll learn to love me. I may have lost a pair of fighters, but I've never had a shuttle or runabout shot out from under me!"

"No Marines here, Mr R'Pas" Jackie said, "plenty of people around to cause and stop trouble without jarheads here as well" she noted. "Always a first time for getting a shuttle shot out from under you, especially given how you've named the shuttles." she replied, "pirates will either think we're trying to be funny or trying to rile 'em up a bit" she smirked. "Not that I don't enjoy doing that on some days."

"No... Jarheads... how is that possible," M'karll asked, stumped. He had always enjoyed messing with the heads of Marines. They might be long on muscle, but most were typically pretty short on brains. "They're fun to pick on... if ye use big words, they usually don't know what yer sayin'."

"Ooh, I'm telling my sister you said that. Len's had to kick your fat butt around a few times when you decided to poke fun at her for joining up with the Marines. Of course now she transferred to the fleet, but I'm sure she'd love to for old times sake." J'al said referring to his sister and M'Karll's cousin Yolen'da who was in the Marines from 2nd Lt. to Colonel and had recently transferred to the fleet at Captain to hold a command.

"Yer sister scares me not, matey," M'karll replied, with another hearty wallop on J'al's back. "Don't ye remember me hearty? I always was her favorite little cousin. It's cuz I'm youngest, and therefore cutest."

"okay enough you two" the Caitian Admiral chuckled lightly flipping her betleH sideways and gesturing at Grenn with one of the sharp edges. "You have work to do here, Mr Grenn" she said, "and I'm sure your cousin has some settling to do aboard here. Settle any family 'rivalries' you may have later" she spoke.

M'karll shrugged and stuck his tongue out at J'al. "Yar," he admitted with a shrug. "I do be havin' some settlin' ta do," he admitted. With a slight bow, he excused himself from the holodeck and headed to his quarters.


OFF:
Joint post by the three resident Caitians

[Sorak]

OFF: Plot thickens?.

ON:
<<USS Horizon ? crew quarters ? during Clawson?s visit to the holodeck and the chat with the other Caitains>>

Sorak marched back and forth getting agitated with each passing moment as the person on the other end of the secure connection took the news in.

?you have failed; they shall soon discover you? the male spoke.

?You told me Kao would be there to assist me since he had inside access to the security systems to help me mask my tracks, he is no longer aboard the Horizon.? Sorak said.

?Quiet! No excuses!? the man shot back, Sorak narrowed his eyes, muttering to himself for a moment. ?You were supposed to plant the devices to help me know what?s going on aboard that ship. It is not a hard task to accomplish!?

?I was not aware she would have Klingons aboard.? He shot back staring at the darkened face on the other end of the screen. ?Your intel is not as up to date as you claim, Shadow Master?

?Excuses again? Klingons are not the smartest of the species. Your job was only to plant the devices so no one would find them. You are not even off the Horizon and they found one. You have failed, you must find a way off the ship before you are found out and could be tied to me?

He didn?t know who the other person was, all he knew was that the person was male and seemed humanoid, he never shown his face to any of his contacts, but was quite influential amongst certain circles, not to mention had access to some data a lot of races would kill for to get. And Shadow Master had offered Sorak something few others would.

?I am not here just for your purposes? Sorak replied. ?I didn?t make these changes for nothing!? he scowled at the screen.

?They have found one bug, what if they will find others? And find you??

?Then I shall deal with it as appropriate. They won?t find any links to you or anyone else.? He spoke, ?except maybe one person. But the Caitian wouldn?t expect it after so many years? he chuckled, unaware that he hadn?t heard what Shadow Master just said.

Sorak shook his head when the Shadow Master?s sharp yell cut through his thoughts.

?Make it so, but so help me if she discovers the truth now I *will* make sure your last hours as agonising as I can make them? the other man sneered.

Sorak flinched, well aware that the other man wasn?t kidding.

?She must not discover anything yet? he said, cutting the connection and leaving Sorak in a state of daze.

?No? first I have other plans for the pesky furball? He laughed.

OFF: more to come tying into everything else that?s going on/going to happen^ don?t worry if it doesn?t make sense, there?s more, I assure you. Phase one of sorts, albeit a half assed attempt given my mental state right now. Apologies for that.

P.S. Barnes, tag me in a PM about your last post/thread left over from last missi