USS Feynman FEB 1997

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U.S.S. FEYNMAN NCC-66000
February 1997 Posts

TOTAL FEBRUARY 1997 POSTS: *TBD*

• USS FEYNMAN Main Page

• Stardate Keys

GRAND TOTAL POSTS: 736

Posts By Each Year

• 1996 Posts - 642 Posts
  
• 1997 Posts - 94 (Jan-April) Posts
  
• 1998 Posts - TBD Posts
  
• 1999 Posts - TBD Posts
  

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USS FEYNMAN: Finally

by Mike Dawe 2-1-1997

SD: 90201

He grumbled to himself as he set up the briefing holocubes and quietly deactivated the recorders for the holodeck. Having been a former instructor at ALB and Psych Eval he knew how to make a deck sing and he used all his skills to cover his tracks this time. What the staff heard, they heard but he would not allow a permanent record beyond memory. There was nothing he could do about the android so he tried to ignore that aspect of the problem.

They were looking at him as though they wondered whether he might need help, he snorted softly and set the overlayer and had a direct feed to his right contact for a visual feed of Tamarian. Maybe he could bypass the androids memory. Dusting his hands he stepped back from the briefing rig and nodded to the senior staff. As they approached he keyed in a database request and read the reply off of his contact. To Maril he said "After the monk left the court."

Maril looked surprised at the request for this to be kept off the records but nodded slowly and drifted over to the Captain and murmured something in his ear. Azariah hoped it was a message and not a request for permission to record. He shrugged, nothing to do but go on.

The first image sprang up at the touch of a button. It was a three dimensional map of the area under SILVER fleets mandate and range. It now included the Kzin sphere of influence and the Lions Mane nebula. As he touched a second control the little indicators of SILVER ships sprang onto the map.

• Regent, almost at the nebula
• Andromeda, on an intercept course with a base in tow
• Bismark, on the outer reaches of the Kzin sphere, nearest the nebula
• Pearson right next to the Bismark
• Hawking had two indicators but the brighter one was with the Bismark and Pearson
• Elizabeth Blackwell was heading along the edge of the nebula
• Endeavour was well separated from all else, near a join of the Klingon Romulan neutral zones
• Saratoga was heading out into deep space after another base dimly lit.
• Feynman was indicated as docked at Epsilon

A blunt finger stabbed at the trio of ships in Kzin territory, close to a colony planet named Hoji. "An armada of xanthandi ships has left the Nebula and made a beeline for the colony there. The Bismark, Pearson, and Hawking are doing their best to delay the force long enough for the colony to prepare."

The CSO perked up at this and leaned forward to get a better look. To accommodate him Azariah keyed in the invading fleet. Ten warships against three smaller Star Fleet ships, it was not a fair fight.

"I have called in to Command to have them allocate any and all resources to aid and defend." His face turned grim. "They refused. I have been expressly forbidden to order any more ships into the area of Hoji. If the colony falls we will lose three ships and all the marines I could squeeze onto the Bismark. And I can't do a damn thing about it."

"Why?" The Admiral did not even look up to see who had asked the question.

"Unknown, but this basically means that we will be failing to honor our part of the treaty we cut with the Kzin less than a year ago." He tapped another key and the ships dimmed and the three bases glowed brighter. "The Saratoga is going out to revamp an old research station in deep space. The Andromeda is towing a new base into position if and when the Regent makes the door into the nebula."

"Door?" This came from Meleah.

"The Captain of the Regent is going to create a portal through the gravitational anomalies that keep the larger ships out of the nebula."

"How is he going to do that?" The CSciO pressed for more details.

"Stellar creation. He is in the process of publishing a paper on it, I'll have my people get you a galley copy of it if you wish. Now then, we will have the new base, Zinderneuf in position in a few more weeks. Unknown timeline for the Saratoga mission to Theta 6. That means we may be without a home for a while." He let this sink in.

Landers was the first to speak. "I have caught a few political broadcast but do you think that . . . "

"My people tell me there is a 72% chance that the Independence Party will win a sweeping victory in the elections on Cait. As a key plank in the platform is to remove the Star Fleet presence from insystem I am making plans for alternative bases. Only problem is I don't have a place to jump to. That is where the Feynman comes in."

He tapped another key. The image zoomed in on the nebula. "The Husnock were here, you brought back proof of that yourselves. I want you to go back in and find if they had a base or any other ships. Since they liked to build large maybe we can salvage something. See if you can bypass the pirate involvement but don't fail to defend yourself if you encounter hostile forces." He looked to Maril "The train to Dumro."

Maril nodded slowly. A strike at supply lines would distract a force that might have an upper hand otherwise. But this kind of mission was a going against fleet intent. The Admiral was lending aide while sticking to the letter of the orders but he was distorting the meaning.

"So it is mapping and scavenging for you right now. I know it may seem a little boring compared to the other ships but I am sure your people could use the rest. As a matter of fact you might want to leave some behind for extended R&R while you do this little errand." Grey eyes met those of Captain Zane. There was a second meaning to the suggestion.

<<<nrpg>>> Mission presented.

You may want to check out the other ships once and a while as a lot of threads are beginning to tie together. or not

Azariah is playing a close game right now as he feels under pressure from the Caitians and his hands tied by fleet. He has suggested to Maril that if you find xanthandi forces in the nebula to disrupt their supply lines if possible to distract the war fleet.

This order could put him in front of a tribunal. He has couched the orders in such a way and tried to block most recording as a way of covering his bases. He is not setting you up for plausible denial. Zane would know this.

The double reading for the Hawking is because the Hawking senior staff has taken the husnock vessel and is using it as a force in the defense of Hoji. Only problem is they still haven't figured out how to activate the weapons systems. This means you are already short staffed because the skeleton crew has not returned.

The R&R thing is a subtle suggestion to remove the civilians or non essential personnel since this may get 'hot'/

Your play people . . . make me proud

mike--->who wonders what will happen next
Vice Admiral Azariah Nicholas CINCSILVER
Captain Christof Fife USS REGENT
GM USS SARATOGA
Lt. Cmdr Eskat Eskat USS HERMES
Lt James Cardiff USS SARATOGA
mdawe@islandnet.com

USS FEYNMAN: Gearing Up

by Andrew Catterick 2-1-1997

SD: 90201.0930
MD: 1.1300
Scene: Holodeck

Husnock were here, you brought back proof of that yourselves. I want you to go back in and find if they had a base or any other ships. Since they liked to build large maybe we can salvage something. See if you can bypass the pirate involvement but don't fail to defend yourself if you encounter hostile forces." He looked to Maril "The train to Dumro."

Maril nodded slowly. A strike at supply lines would distract a force that might have an upper hand otherwise. But this kind of mission was a going against fleet intent. The Admiral was lending aide while sticking to the letter of the orders but he was distorting the meaning.

Zane couldn't help but smile at that. A trip back into the sack was going to be dangerous but he found that somewhat appealing. Perhaps having his hands tied in the encounter with the Reavers made him all the more eager. Besides, he thought, as she proved the last time, FEYNMAN was built for the hostile environment of the sack. And, he noted with an almost smug satisfaction, for disrupting SLOCs.

"So it is mapping and scavenging for you right now. I know it may seem a little boring compared to the other ships but I am sure your people could use the rest. As a matter of fact you might want to leave some behind for extended R&R while you do this little errand." Grey eyes met those of Captain Zane. There was a second meaning to the suggestion.

The admiral was probably right on that. Zane's initial reaction was to order all civilian's off the ship. But before he spoke Meleah broke in. "Captain will you be ordering civilians off the ship?"

In the background Bat cleared his throat but appeared to be engrossed in clearing up the buffet. He generally did not remain during the meetings but with the admiral here his curiosity must have got the better of him. He'd need Bat aboard if only to keep 10-Forward running smoothly. But he couldn't play favorites.

"We've been through dangerous missions before but this one could be a little more so. Ironically, all the civilians aboard are relations of each of you so I will leave it up to you to decide your individual case. I would 'suggest' that civilians do not remain aboard for this trip. However I will not be ordering my relation off.

"Your damn right you won't be." Came the reply from the buffet.

Zane turned to the admiral. "Will there be anything else sir?"

"No captain you and your people have a mission to get to. And I have some pressing business as well." They all stood.

"Very well, Commander we'll get under way at 1600 hours."

"Aye sir."

As the officers filed out of the room which had changed back to the black and yellow holodeck grid Zane grabbed Meleah's arm and pulled her closer. "Do you have a complete recording of this meeting?"

"Of course sir." She replied somewhat puzzled.

"See that you don't lose it."

<<<NRPG>>>

Short and to the point!;) Lets get back out there!

Kevin: We were in the sack the mission before you arrived. If you haven't already done so you may want to read the mission summary on the web page http://homepage.interaccess.com/~sgant/feynman.htm

(I'm going from memory, is that right Kris?)

Of course feel free to post reactions to the briefing, ask questions etc. Unfortunately I'm leaving for work so I wanted to make sure we were rolling after keeping us around for so long....

Respectfully, Andy-->Wondering why he always has to go to work when things get going:(

-Captain Zane, Commanding Officer, USS FEYNMAN
-Commander Horatio Sinclair, Fleet Intelligence Officer, BLUE FLEET

USS FEYNMAN: Starting the Search

by Jason Bostjancic 2-1-1997

SD: 90201
MD:1.1310
Scene: Outside Holodeck

Although it was a hard thing for the CEO to do, he had suppressed his inquisitive nature regarding the Husnock technology when the Feynman was sent away from their find during the last mission.

But, as Tarrant slowly fizzled from his stunned nature during the lift trip, that curiosity began to invade once again. The possibility of their being a Husnock Base... But if the Feynman was to find it, or any remnants of it, they'd need some insight.

"Stop Lift... Take me to the Bridge"

........

Scene: Bridge

A slightly quizzical Zane turned to see the who the arrival was. "What brings you to the Bridge, Lieutenant..*Commander*?"

The title still seemed odd. "Sir, before we break dock I'd like to see if we can get as much information as possible from Epsilon that's been cataloged from our Husnock ship's database."

"Anything in particular?"

"Star charts. From what I saw when we loaded up our core last time, the ship was full of data."

Zane's brow scrunched, "I doubt that we could carry too much of that data without filling our banks again, Mr. Koreth."

Tarrant nodded, "Yes, sir. That's why I'd like to limit it to nebula's or anything that we can define as being in the area. We might find something to at least lead us to the right direction."

"I can put in the request." nodded Zane thoughtfully, "but I'm not sure what you'll find."

...............

<NRPG>

Just a short one to get some gears turning. Perhaps the Sciences or Navigation would be interested in going over some of the charts?

Not that Jerran needs any extra-navigational aids, but It could help just in case he gets stuck into a shuttle with a new promotee... hmmm.

Respectfully,
Jason

Commander Tirrin Vorak - XO - USS BURKE
Lieutenant Tarrant L. Koreth - CEO - USS FEYNMAN

Potest esse nur unus

USS FEYNMAN: NRPG: "Most Intriguing"

by Kristen Gant 2-2-1997

>Anyway, it sounds like an interesting mission. Let's get going. BTW, does >this mean instead of chemistry, I have to sound knowledgable about stellar >creation????

<G> I think as Chief Science Officer they expect you to know everything :) This is were NPC deligation comes in. You know all the best managers are so good because they now how to deligate responsibility :):)

Kristen

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Kristen & Scott Gant
http://homepage.interaccess.com/~sgant/gant.htm

USS FEYNMAN: Leads?

by Andrew Catterick 2-2-1997

SD: 90202.2200
MD: 1.1315
Scene: Access Hatch

With the meeting adjourned Zane escorted the admiral to the main access tube leading back into EPSILON. Both men, lost in thought, proceeded in silence. For his part, Zane went over various alternatives for best exploring the sack and finding a likely place for a Husnock base to hide, assuming there even was one. And that just might be a pretty weak assumption. He looked down absently at the computer chip that the admiral had handed him as they had rode in the turbolift. Apparently Mason, the pirate turned spy, that they had found on the pirate base had been fulfilling his part of the bargain Zane had offered. He just hoped the information Mason had provided would be useful.

"Well Captain you have quite a task ahead of you." The admiral said as they both came to a halt at the access way. The two marine sentries snapped to attention as they noticed Nicholas' presence.

"Anything else would be boring." Zane replied with a cocky smile he certainly didn't feel. "We won't let you down sir." He offered more earnestly.

With a nod the admiral turned and made his way down the gangway. Zane watched him go and promised himself again that if anyone was ever crazy enough to offer him an admiral's flag he'd run away screaming. All the pressure, all the decisions, all the blame and little thanks. It just didn't seem fair.

________________________

The turbolift doors parted to reveal a bustling bridge, not a rare scene on the FEYNMAN but certainly not standard for a ship in port. But only in port for two more hours and as always the promise of a new mission always served to energize the crew like little else.

"Commander, I'd like you to go over this file. Our friend Mr. Mason has provided us with some information, very little by the looks of it, on ship movements inside the sack. Cross reference it with our scans of the sack as well as SILVER's database and see if you can pinpoint likely places to find some supply lines to disrupt."

"Yes sir." The OPS officer replied. Zane tried hard not to laugh at the look on her face. She hadn't even seen the information but she had already guessed that looking for a needle in a very large haystack would be easier. Much easier. To her right Jerran chuckled quietly.

Behind him the turbolift doors parted and Zane turned to see LCDR Koreth emerge. So close to a launch and the CEO was not polishing the engines? That did seem strange.

<<Insert Jason's post here.))

The captain relaxed into his chair feeling a little more confident in the immediate future. With Krysa following one set of leads and Tarrant pursuing another they might even have a reasonable guess as to a destination before they arrived at the sack.

And what more could he ask for?

<<<NRPG>>>

Kevin: I've been racking my brains as to a description of the Xanthandi but I can't remember if we even had one. Unfortunately I can't keep past files:( Basically they are a warrior race that, if I remember correctly, are an offshoot of the Kzin. Essentially they have been hanging out in the sack locked in factional fighting but recently they have unified which is bad news for those who border the sack...SILVER and Kzin.

...someone please fill in any blanks and make any corrections.

Respectfully,
Andy

-Captain Zane, Commanding Officer, USS FEYNMAN
-Commander Horatio Sinclair, Fleet Intelligence Officer, BLUE FLEET

USS FEYNMAN: NRPG: "Leads?"

by Kristen Gant 2-3-1997

>Kevin: I've been racking my brains as to a description of the Xanthandi >but I can't remember if we even had one. Unfortunately I can't keep past >files:( Basically they are a warrior race that, if I remember correctly, >are an offshoot of the Kzin. Essentially they have been hanging out in >the sack locked in factional fighting but recently they have unified which >is bad news for those who border the sack...SILVER and Kzin.

We only encounter their ships. We never actually met anyone from that race, so don't know much about them.

Kristen

---

Kristen & Scott Gant
http://homepage.interaccess.com/~sgant/gant.htm

USS FEYNMAN: Groundwork

by Andrew Catterick 2-5-1997

SD: 90205.1004
MD: 1.2330
Scene: After the shift change, Captain's ready room

"...and LT Stark and I have come up with a few ideas on slowing down the trade lines while we're there," Jerran said as he handed Capt Zane a PADD.

"During the occupation, some of the Resistance scientists came up with a weapon to use against Cardassian shipping lines. Essentially, it fired a particle beam of highly charged ions at the other ship. Those charges tended to wreak havoc with the internal electronic systems of the ship, disabling weapons, maneuvering control, and the like without effecting the actual superstructure of the ship. Its main drawback is that the beam has to come in direct contact with the hull, meaning that the shields have to be pierced by phasers before this ion gun will work. But, against freighters and transports, it shouldn't pose too much of a problem."

<<<SNIP>>>

"Good." Zane swipped at his still too hot coffee. "Casualties?"

"I don't anticipate any on either side but there is the possibility that someone might be killed by an exploding station etc. If these ships are like most bulk carriers I've seen then their state of repair," The FCO shrugged, "well they're not Starfleet."

"Zane to Ensign Fuhrman."

[Fuhrman here.] The transporter chief replied.

"Ensign what kind of a range would a transporter have on your average bulk carrier inside the stack?"

"Uhhh...not much sir. And even at close range there would most likely be a small degree of molecular breakdown."

"What if the FEYNMAN was providing site to site transport?"

[You'd definitely have more range and less chance of any anomalies.]

"And the NOGURA?"

[Same thing as the FEYNMAN but the larger the range the larger the power that would be drawn from primary systems.]

"I see. Consider it a problem and see if you can get us maximum range with minimum risk."

[Aye sir.]

"Sir?" Jerran asked.

"Back on the seas of ancient Earth commerce raiders and national navies used to disrupt an adversaries supply lines much as we are about to do. They found that merely disabling a vessel did only so much. It is often much easier and less expensive to repair than rebuild. So when they happened on a merchant vessel they would disable her, remove any interesting cargo and then scuttle her. The crew would either be taken prisoner, set adrift in lifeboats or even stranded on a deserted island. More often than not they found passage back to a safe haven."

"And you'd like to the same?"

"Yes, we aren't at war...yet." Zane replied, pausing to remember that he had said the same thing in the last mission, tens of parsecs away. SILVER was beginning to boil. "This mission the admiral has sent us on...I'm sure you realize the implications. The FEYNMAN class was originally designed to be a stealth ship, a 'black' ship if you like. We've functioned in that capacity before but never on both sides of the coin. Disrupting SLOCs is a necessary step, although not everyone will agree. But taking lives ups the ante. Considerably. If we're going to disrupt their shipping then were going to disrupt it as much as we can. If we find a convoy, I want it destroyed. We'll leave one ship to transport all the crews to as well as any medical supplies and the like that may be in transport. But everything else goes."

Jerran considered the problem. "It'll be a bit more dicey for the shuttles but I don't see any problems unless they have some heavy escorts."

"In that case you'll move on and look for another convoy."

"We'll need boarding parties."

"Agreed. You'll have to coordinate with Mr. Allard. But keep things loose for now. FEYNMAN's primary mission is still locating a suitable base so I don't know exactly where she'll be in relation to you and your shuttles. I don't want either group far from the other, its pretty hostile out there. If we hit a stoke of luck and find a suitable location we can land an away team and then use the FEYNMAN to support your operations and provide a platform for boarding/demolition parties."

"If the FEYNMAN is used for the convoys why even use boarding parties? Both the ship and the shuttles can disable and then after the crews have been transported a couple of torpedoes should finish the job."

"I'd prefer to stick with your plan and have the FEYNMAN provide point. Every indication points to the Xanthandi as being very able warriors. I'd feel safer if the FEYNMAN is doing its imitation of a hole in space so if the bad guys show up they'll have a very large surprise on there hands. Besides, I want teams aboard those ships to tell me what is being transported as well as finding out where it came from and where it is going."

"Will we be taking prisoners?"

Zane leaned back and thought for a moment. "No. We can't take prisoners because officially we were never there. Does this present any problems?"

"No sir. Other than the modifications discussed we're ready to go."

"Very good, LT. It looks like you've got this part of the mission well in hand, in theory at least. Tell me, how is your new AFCO working out?"

"Quite well, sir. I knew that he was an excellent pilot, and now I also know that he's a rather good leader. My crew have come to accept his transfer here quite well."

"And LT Cartwright? How are your feelings on her absence?"

Jerran raised an eyebrow, as he had not expected this meeting to become a counseling session, least of all not one with the captain. "I have accepted her transfer as well, sir. Both of us knew that it would happen someday, and we've accepted it as a logical ending to a fulfilling relationship. It's regrettable that it had to end, but we both must move on."

Zane nodded and said, "I'm glad to see you're taking it so well, Mr. Jerran. I've seen perfectly good officers fall apart because of these sort of things, and I have no doubt that you'll never have a problem with that."

"Of course not, sir. I am a Vulcan, after all."

"And you never let us forget it. Thank you for the report, LT. Dismissed."

<NRPG>

Well were not even there yet and we've got threads sprouting up all over the place:) Strangely I think we'll be lucky both in finding somewhere for the Away team to explore and for Jerran and his shuttles to play. That probably leaves me minding the store so like Zane says, who knows where she'll be so I just wanted to leave the door open so I can have some fun too!

Respectfully,
Andy

-Captain Zane, Commanding Officer, USS FEYNMAN
-Commander Horatio Sinclair, Fleet Intelligence Officer, BLUE FLEET

USS FEYNMAN: Finally More

by Michael "Mike" Dailey 2-5-1997

SD: 90205.2200
MD: 1.1230
SCENE: STAFF BRIEFING - HOLODECK

> He grumbled to himself as he set up the briefing holocubes and
> quietly deactivated the recorders for the Holodeck. Having been a former
> instructor at ALB and Psych Eval he knew how to make a deck sing and he used
> all his skills to cover his tracks this time. What the staff heard, they
> heard but he would not allow a permanent record beyond memory. There was
> nothing he could do about the android so he tried to ignore that aspect of the problem.

It truly had been a briefing full of surprises so far, as most FEYNMAN briefings go. Many promotions, decorations, and compliments were issued. J.C. considered how quickly his friends, comrades, and CO's on the FEYNMAN had grown in the seven plus months he had been part of her crew.

Thinking of surprises, the CSO glanced over at the CINCSILVER, who at the moment seemed frustrated at something on the holodeck's ARCH. *Rule #1, never mess with an angry Admiral.* Since J.C. had no desire to serve as the CSO of an ore freighter, that was enough to keep him seated and await the rest of the briefing...

> They were looking at him as though they wondered whether he might
> need help, he snorted softly and set the overlayer and had a direct feed to
> his right contact for a visual feed of Tamarian. Maybe he could bypass the
> androids memory. Dusting his hands he stepped back from the briefing rig
> and nodded to the senior staff. As they approached he keyed in a database
> request and read the reply off of his contact. To Maril he said "After the
> monk left the court."
>
> Maril looked surprised at the request for this to be kept off the
> records but nodded slowly and drifted over to the Captain and murmured
> something in his ear. Azariah hoped it was a message and not a request for
> permission to record. He shrugged, nothing to do but go on.
>
> The first image sprang up at the touch of a button. It was a three
> dimensional map of the area under SILVER fleets mandate and range. It now
> included the Kzin sphere of influence and the Lions Mane nebula. As he
> touched a second control the little indicators of SILVER ships sprang onto the map.

Like most CSO's, J.C. tried to keep informed of 'fleet-wide activities as best they could, time permitting. Looking at the Admiral's display with genuine interest, J.C. wondered what was going on. Though he had friends on the ELIZABETH BLACKWELL and some Academy-mates on the ENDEAVOR, he had not kept up with individual ship's activities as much as he would have liked.

• Regent, almost at the nebula
• Andromeda, on an intercept course with a base in tow
• Bismark, on the outer reaches of the Kzin sphere, nearest the nebula
• Pearson right next to the Bismark
• Hawking had two indicators but the brighter one was with the Bismark and Pearson
• Elizabeth Blackwell was heading along the edge of the nebula
• Endeavour was well separated from all else, near a join of the Klingon Romulan neutral zones
• Saratoga was heading out into deep space after another base dimly lit.
• Feynman was indicated as docked at Epsilon

> A blunt finger stabbed at the trio of ships in Kzin territory, close
> to a colony planet named Hoji. "An armada of Xanthandi ships has left the
> Nebula and made a beeline for the colony there. The Bismark, Pearson, and
> Hawking are doing their best to delay the force long enough for the colony
> to prepare."

At Admiral Nicholas' mention of the Xanthandi, a sudden knot formed within the depths of J.C.'s stomach. The BISMARK was a Galaxy, the HAWKING of course was a FEYNMAN-class, and while J.C. was not familiar with the PEARSON, he though it was a HOOD or WOLFE-class. They were a well-rounded group of ships, but by far no match for and equal number of dedicated Xanthandi battleships, let alone an entire 10-ship fleet! *Spirits, those poor people* though J.C.

Worse than the Rihannsu, it was always a guessing game with the Xanthandi. A poker game of sorts, as one never knew what they had in their hands, or for that matter, if the entire deck were stacked. *Poker, hmmm. That gives me an idea...*

> The CSO perked up at this and leaned forward to get a better look.
> To accommodate him Azariah keyed in the invading fleet. Ten warships against
> three smaller Starfleet ships, it was not a fair fight.

> "I have called in to Command to have them allocate any and all
> resources to aid and defend." His face turned grim. "They refused. I have
> been expressly forbidden to order any more ships into the area of Hoji. If
> the colony falls we will lose three ships and all the marines I could
> squeeze onto the Bismark. And I can't do a damn thing about it."

*Loose three more starships, just like that!* J.C. closed his mouth that had been hanging open for a brief few seconds at the shock of the Admiral's words. Starfleet had lost so many ships, so many people over the last year, especially SILVER. J.C. recalled reading the anger in the newsgroups. Anger towards command. Many were saying the usefulness of smaller destroyers and frigates has been outgrown. The cries for more battleships such as SOLAR, S'HARIEN, and ROYAL SOVEREIGN classes were growing louder and louder with each reported loss. At first, J.C. had dismissed it with the usual garbage in the newsgroups, but now, perhaps they were right.

> "Why?" The Admiral did not even look up to see who had asked the question.

Suddenly feeling VERY self-conscious, at his outburst, the CSO was much relieved when Nicholas continued without missing a beat.

> "Unknown, but this basically means that we will be failing to honor
> our part of the treaty we cut with the Kzin less than a year ago." He
> tapped another key and the ships dimmed and the three bases glowed brighter.
> "The Saratoga is going out to revamp an old research station in deep space.
> The Andromeda is towing a new base into position if and when the Regent
> makes the door into the nebula."
>
> "Door?" This came from Meleah.
>
> "The Captain of the Regent is going to create a portal through the
> gravitational anomalies that keep the larger ships out of the nebula."
>
> "How is he going to do that?" The CSciO pressed for more details.
>
> "Stellar creation. He is in the process of publishing a paper on
> it, I'll have my people get you a galley copy of it if you wish. Now then,
> we will have the new base, Zinderneuf in position in a few more weeks.
> Unknown timeline for the Saratoga mission to Theta 6. That means we may be
> without a home for a while." He let this sink in.

*Without a home? The Federation COULDN'T abandon this sector? Could they* J.C. looked at the Counselor, who spoke up...

> Landers was the first to speak. "I have caught a few political
> broadcast but do you think that . . . "
> > "My people tell me there is a 72% chance that the Independence Party
> will win a sweeping victory in the elections on Cait. As a key plank in the
> platform is to remove the Starfleet presence from insystem I am making plans
> for alternative bases. Only problem is I don't have a place to jump to.
> That is where the Feynman comes in."

J.C. quickly glanced at Captain Zane. After hearing the Admiral, his first thought had been that Nicholas would operate from onboard the FEYNMAN. But just as quickly, J.C. dismissed the idea. If things came to that extreme, the CINCSILVER would choose Captain MacMaster's ANDROMEDA as his Flag instead of their tiny FEYNMAN.

> He tapped another key. The image zoomed in on the nebula. "The
> Husnock were here, you brought back proof of that yourselves. I want you to
> go back in and find if they had a base or any other ships. Since they liked
> to build large maybe we can salvage something. See if you can bypass the
> pirate involvement but don't fail to defend yourself if you encounter
> hostile forces." He looked to Maril "The train to Dumro."

J.C. frowned slightly. As much as he had come to respect their Tamarian XO, he still never quite understood his native metaphorical tongue. But, he surmised what the Admiral intended for them. A crippling blow in their weak area. Plus, some boarding and scouting action seemed to be in store for his department, if they found anything of Husnock value. *I'll have to talk to Alex Tamarov, and call a meeting with the NCO's*

At the thought of his ACSO, J.C. remembered Alex's decision to enter the Academy, and his request to talk to Maril. He would try to catch the XO after the briefing.

> Maril nodded slowly. A strike at supply lines would distract a
> force that might have an upper hand otherwise. But this kind of mission was
> a going against fleet intent. The Admiral was lending aide while sticking
> to the letter of the orders but he was distorting the meaning.
>
> "So it is mapping and scavenging for you right now. I know it may
> seem a little boring compared to the other ships but I am sure your people
> could use the rest. As a matter of fact you might want to leave some behind
> for extended R&R while you do this little errand." Gray eyes met those of
> Captain Zane. There was a second meaning to the suggestion.

[SNIP}

> "Your damn right you won't be." Came the reply from the buffet.

> Along with most all of the senior staff, J.C. tried to stifle a
> laugh at the ex-CSO's 'colourful input'.
>
> Zane turned to the admiral. "Will there be anything else sir?"
>
> "No captain you and your people have a mission to get to. And I
> have some pressing business as well." They all stood.
>
> "Very well, Commander we'll get under way at 1600 hours."
>
"Aye sir. DISMISSED" said Maril.

Outside the Holodeck, the tension of the briefing rapidly evaporated into comments, speculation, and more congratulations to the promotees and decoration recipients. J.C. approached Dr. Glin'kharr, who was speaking to Kyrsa Jenn and Tarrant Koreth.

"Commanders," he said to Koreth and Jenn. "Congratulations, Sirs." J.C. offered his hand to the CEO, and in turn to the second officer. He glanced over to Lt. Meleah, who was speaking with Loren Landers. Somehow she looked 'different', pride? Naa. Not from an android. J.C. shrugged it off.

"Thank you, Mr. Allard, said Koreth." He dismissed himself, on his way to catch up with Captain Zane.

"Yes, thank you, J.C.," said Kyrsa. "I'm glad everyone decided to remain. I hate breaking in new people." Even Glin'kharr chuckled a bit at that.

"For a moment I thought you were going to request a transfer," said the second officer.

"What! If I would leave, who would keep you Senior officers out of trouble... Sirs." said J.C. Krysa rolled her eyes at the comment. Glin'kharr pushed his glassed back into place and looked at J.C.

"Grg. We'll, Mr. Allard. Speaking of 'trouble' Seem's we're off to the sack again," said the CMO. *Oh no, here it comes.*

"Perhaps this time yourself AND your staff can keep from becoming patients of mine." said the Doctor in a matter-of-fact tone. J.C. could feel his face turning red, and looking over at Krysa, she was enjoying the poor CSO's torment.

"AND keep from getting, oh how shall we say...'lost'." added the second officer. J.C. held up his hands in surrender,

"O.K., O.K., I surrender. I lay myself on your mercy, Sirs." The 2-0 and CMO laughed, heading for the lift. J.C. turned and saw Commander Maril exiting the Holodeck.

"Commander Maril". The XO acknowledged the CSO.

"Yes, Mr. Allard."

"Sir. My ACSO, Mr. Tamarov asked to have a short meeting with yourself and me following our briefing. Something he wants to discuss with us both." said J.C. Onta opened his wrist chrono, and thought for a moment.

"I have a few things to attend to right away, but have yourself and Mr. Tamarov in my office at 1400 and we'll see what's on your NCO's mind." J.C. already knew, but he would let Alex explain for himself.

"Aye, Sir. I'll relay that to Mr. Tamarov." J.C. started to head for the lift, and Maril added,

"Lt. Allard,"

"Sir?" he turned to again face the XO. "Remember, Thoma before the council."

"Umm. Yes Sir." *He must mean be on time* "Aye Sir." *************************************************************************<br> * Lt., j.g. J.C.M. Allard CSO - USS FEYNMAN Alt.Starfleet.RPG *<br> * Lt. (Dr.) D'doj Zzawj Ckorji - OPS/20 - USS E. BLACKWELL SILVER FLEET *<br> * Lcdr. Jordon Kabreigny CNS - USS BURKE GREEN FLEET *<br> * Lcdr. Ion Steiner L.C. - SFDOC TEAM ALPHA-1 SFDOC *<br> * Codr. Johan Baurr - COMSFDOC "All I ask is a tall ship..." *<br> *************************************************************************<br>

NRPG:

Hello all! Just some of J.C.'s thoughts/reactions, etc. Sound like the makings of another great FEYNMAN mission.

- Mike - and WHEN have we never surprised you?

- Kevin - did you catch what I was talking about earlier? RE: while enroute

- Max - just a memory jog. Alex decided to apply to the Academy through the NCO's rapid acceleration program. All he needs are two Command-level sponsors... He already has one, but...One down, and one to go. <G> This will probably be his last mission (as an NCO, anyway).

as always,
cheers!
Mike Dailey