From: Ranjani Sabarinathan (rantrek_at_yahoo.com)
Date: Mon Sep 01 2008 - 03:07:55 PDT
“We Interrupt This Program to Bring You a Little Message”
(contd from Kim’s ‘Go Away’)
Location: GS-2
SD: 2.80831.0123
Scene: CO’s office
Kathryn MacNeil sighed as she finished reading the latest medical report on the health of the three former prisoners that comprised of a mute human woman, a Bolian man and a female Ferengi and was not surprised about their diagnosis. Poe and her medical team were confident their patients would recover physically after undergoing treatments for their various injuries sustained from their imprisonment. But the half-Nuimon knew that it would be hard to overcome the psychological trauma, considering the extremely harsh conditions of Dominion prison camps. The counselors had managed to confirm that Melin’s companions in sickbay were former members of the expedition after speaking with the Ferengi and the Bolian.
She recalled the conversation with the Vorta and personally found him hard to read. She hoped Melin was speaking the truth as his proposal heavily benefited the Federation in the war. The Scot was also aware that Vorta were experts at deceit and so she assigned someone trained to assess whether an individual was lying or not like a Counselor to interview Melin. Trained as a doctor, Kate however could figure out whether a patient was truthful or not when discussing their health.
Engineering and Science were still working on unearthing the secrets of the artifacts brought by the Vorta. She had yet to receive a report on their progress and was eagerly looking forward to their discovery. Kate hoped none of the devices were weapons waiting to be unleashed on unsuspecting victims after laying dormant for millions of years. She was worried a virus or plague could be hiding within those devices and hoped that wasn’t the case. The Scottish woman was however confident of the personnel in both departments and knew every precaution would be taken when studying those artifacts.
Lt. Varn contacted the auburn haired ExO about something urgent. [[Varn to MacNeil.]]
“MacNeil here,” Kate acknowledged. “Report,” she ordered a second later.
Thomas informed. [[When we were attempting to translate the information on the tablet, the translator picked up the word ‘armageddon’.]]
The Nuimon hybrid froze for a moment before inquiring. “Do you think the devices could be weapons?”
[[The universal translator couldn’t recognize the language on the tablet,]] the winged man stated. [[The computer could only muster a few scattered words such as assembly, power, disturb and armageddon as I mentioned before.]]
Jake Crichton joined in the conversation. [[The tablet could be some sort of instruction manual for the devices but unless we are able to translate the information, we won’t know for sure.]]
“Then you’ll have to keep working on it,” MacNeil insisted with a sigh. “It is important we find what that tablet says.”
[[Yes Commander,]] the engineer nodded before asking. [[Is there a chance any of those companions the Vorta brought with him know if the expedition linguists have managed to translate the language spoken by this ancient race?]]
Kate pondered a moment before replying slowly. “We’ll have to check with sickbay to see if any of them are well enough to assist.”
Thomas offered. [[I will speak with Dr. Poe on the matter.]]
“Thank you, Mr. Varn.” The Scot stated, her tone filled with appreciation. Addressing both men, Kate instructed. “Keep appraised of any developments.”
[[Yes ma’am,]] the acting ExO and CEO replied in chorus and thus the conversation ended returning Kate back to her mulling.
Ensign Vol had earlier told her there hadn’t been any security incidents connected to the arrival of Melin and his companions yet, which as far as MacNeil was concerned was good news. There also weren’t any sightings of the enemy within station perimeters and Kate hoped it stayed that way but wasn’t holding her breath over it. Lt. Stephens and his fighter squadron were still out there monitoring the surrounding area.
The Counseling department later contacted her and submitted a report on their interview with Melin. Their assessment was that the Vorta was telling the truth.
Daisy and her family were still in BAJOR and the ExO wasn’t sure when her boss planned to return. There were rumors circulating around the station that Daisy was either transferred or had retired to take care of her kids. Kate didn’t believe that to be true.
There were a couple of media analysts on Fedcom who criticized Davidson for leaving her post to go to BAJOR and ranted over how the station needed a commanding officer who wouldn’t be bogged down by family issues. Kate sarcastically found it unsurprising that the majority of those analysts saying that were middle-aged human men. Sexism still lived even in the 25th century, Kate grimaced. Though there were a few female analysts who were just as hostile. Frankly, the Scot just chose to ignore anything said on Fedcom programs, since the majority of their analysts spewed rubbish as far as she was concerned.
[[Ops to Lt. Cmdr. MacNeil,]] Lt. Ganesh’s voice poured through her comm. badge.
“Go ahead, Lieutenant.”
Savitri explained. [[Commander, there is a Fedcom broadcast covering an interview with Commander Davidson that is just about to start.]]
Daisy agreed to let a Fedcom reporter interview her, while she was at a private island in BAJOR. Kate blinked, feeling astonished. “Thank you for informing me about the broadcast.” After the communication between the ExO and aOps ended, the former CMO immediately activated the computer screen.
She was met with a scene on the exotic Lupaza Island and two women she recognized standing on a deck. Kate observed Daisy to be tanned and healthy, which she was glad to see. MacNeil’s thoughts then instantly went to LJ and hoped the teenager was doing alright. Judging from her CO’s demeanor on the screen, the Scot figured he wasn’t doing badly.
<<Some parts taken from Kim’s last post>>
{{Thank you, Commander Davidson, for agreeing to this interview.}} began Cynthia Matilde. Kathryn recognized the hybrid reporter from having watched some of her previous broadcasts.
{{You're welcome, Miss Matilde.}}
{{I'm sure you heard of the recent broadcasts of events from GATEWAY station - including footage of your recent dispute with a Lt. Commander MacNeil and Field Colonel Williams. Would you like to make a comment about that?}}
Kate’s heart skipped a beat, suddenly feeling anxiety welling up inside her. She was eager and nervous over Davidson’s answer to Cynthia’s question.
One hand resting on the deck railing, Daisy sighed and then managed a strained smile, {{Thank you, and yes. I deeply regret losing my temper and behaving so unprofessionally towards both Lt. Commander MacNeil and Colonel Williams. Yes, there was a misunderstanding regarding the treatment of my son. Being a mother yourself, I'm sure you can understand how deeply such a thing would affect me. I responded first as a frightened and worried mother and took out my frustrations on the very people who were trying the most to help my family and I regret that very much.}}
A thin smile formed on the Scot’s lips. It was a smile filled with immense relief. Kate was pleasantly surprised at her CO’s reply to Matilde’s question. She was never really angry with Commander Davidson, just frustrated at the latter’s anger towards her and Hunter for trying to help LJ. She proceeded to listen to the rest of the interview, where Cynthia asked Daisy a few more questions.
It was when the Trill/Human/El Aurian reporter asked her CO the following question that made MacNeil a wee nervous.
{{Is there anything you'd like to say to those who are critical of you for taking time away from the station during the war with the Dominion?}} Cynthia asked a hint of a smile on her lovely face.
Daisy raised an eyebrow - indicating her surprise that anyone had complained about her leaving the station. Then, she nodded.
**Oh Daisy, you’re not going to believe just what those analysts have been saying about you, ** Kate thought ruefully.
{{Yes, Gateway station remains in very capable hands. Though I play on returning in a couple of weeks and Starfleet has assigned me to be the commanding officer of that station, I am not arrogant enough to consider myself "indispensable" to the station's daily operations. Gateway has an outstanding crew perfectly capable of....}}
Suddenly the screen blacked out, which caused the acting CO to sit up straight. Tapping her comm. badge, Kate questioned, anxiety filling her voice. “MacNeil to Ops. What’s going on?”
[[We’re not really sure, ma’am,]] Ganesh replied, sounding puzzled. [[But Commander, we’ve been getting calls from civilians all over the station wondering about the same thing. Some are panicking, thinking the station is under attack.]]
Before either woman said anything further, the black screen reverted back to the scene at Lupaza Island. Cynthia, producing a sheepish smile, spoke. {{We apologize for the brief interruption. Apparently there was a problem with our broadcasting equipment, which we’re happy to say is quickly remedied.}} Returning her attention back to the blonde, who just returned from dealing with her sons for their stunt, Matilde continued. {{Now where were we, Commander Davidson…}} The rest of the interview went on smoothly.
[[Ops to Commander MacNeil.]]
“Yes Lt. Ganesh?”
[[Please report to Ops. We have an incoming transmission from ANDARA,]] the Indian woman informed. ANDARA was a Dominion occupied planet.
“I’ll be right there, Lieutenant,” Kate declared, quickly standing up.
----------------------------------------
Scene: Operations
Lt. Cmdr. MacNeil ordered as she jogged down the steps to the lower level of the Operations Center. “Put the transmission through and give me a visual.”
“Aye ma’am,” the aOps complied. Within seconds, the officers were met with the unwelcoming image of a female Vorta, whom Kate recognized to be Vertec, though the half-Nuimon never met her personally. In fact she recalled witnessing a news broadcast of the late Clooney St. George killing the previous Vertec clone.
Kathryn greeted with an icy tone in her voice. “This is Lt. Cmdr. Kathryn MacNeil, what can we do for you?
{{Where is Commander Davidson?}} Vertec questioned sardonically. {{I was hoping to mince words with the great Commander Daisy Davidson.}}
The half-Nuimon ExO informed curtly. “Well Commander Davidson is not available at the moment so you will have to deal with me for now.”
{{So I take it you’re not going to tell me where she is,}} the attractive female Vorta remarked, pretending to be disappointed.
“No,” the Scot reiterated firmly, folding her arms.
Vertec sighed. {{Very well then.}} Her voice crisp and deadly, the Vorta began. {{We’ve received reports of your people confiscating our attack ship and holding one of our own, a Vorta by the name of Melin captive.}} She grinned, noticing the colour drain from the hybrid’s pale face.
Kate’s jaw tightened and her lips pursed in a thin line. She glanced briefly at others in the room before returning her attention to the Vorta. “The ship trespassed into our space and was thus captured. Melin is now a prisoner of war.” MacNeil was not going to reveal the part about Melin’s offer and his request for asylum.
{{Then perhaps you already know that this particular Melin clone is defective,}} Vertec brought up coldly.
“What’s your point, Vertec?” MacNeil demanded, handling the exchange with the Vorta tactfully.
{{Melin has betrayed the Dominion,}} the Vorta declared angrily. {{He has stolen one of our ships and came to you on his own accord.}}
Recalling her earlier meeting with Melin, the ExO smirked. “Well, he claims to still owe his loyalty to the Founders.”
{{Melin also took extremely valuable goods from us and we want them back,}} Vertec added, her tone filled with disdain.
“So let me get this straight,” Kate said, narrowing her eyes, which changed colours from blue to purple. “You want us to surrender Melin and whatever valuables you think he stole to you.”
{{Correct, Lt. Commander,}} the Vorta stated, producing a sarcastic smile.
“Well Vertec,” the Scot informed firmly. “Firstly, it is not my decision and secondly, I don’t believe Starfleet Command will return Melin to you as he is now our prisoner. And thirdly, I have no clue what valuable things you’re talking about, because we don’t possess any.”
{{Don’t you dare lie to me, Lt. Cmdr. MacNeil,}} Vertec warned, glaring at the ExO. {{You know what I am talking about and you too realize just how valuable those things are and want to keep them for yourselves.}}
“I seriously don’t know what you’re talking about,” Kate said, continuing to feign possessing no knowledge of possessing the artifacts.
{{Then be warned, Lt. Commander,}} Vertec conclude with an icy tone as she cut off communications leaving a very bemused acting CO in the room.
“The situation has just gotten a little too complicated,” the Scottish woman remarked, worry etched in her voice.
************************************************************************
NRPG: A little character centred, since some of you are working on posts from what I hear. A reminder, as far as where this mission will lead us, well it is up to you and I am excited to read what you all will come up with in your posts :)
Ranjani Sabarinathan
FRPG Archivist
Speaking for...
[/\]o..
Lieutenant Commander Kathryn MacNeil, MD
Executive Officer
GATEWAY STATION- 2
and
[/\].
Ensign Meera Song
Chief Engineering Officer
USS PATRIOT
and
[/\]....
Captain Anaqueen Spankryz
Commanding Officer
USS COMMENDATION (Novella Unit)
and
[/\]..
Lieutenant Etallia Halois
Senior ACTi
Starfleet Academy
__________________________________________________________________
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This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.5 : Wed Nov 19 2008 - 03:10:57 PST