@@ Line 1,481: / Line 1,481: @@
 -Commodore Robert Steele, Commanding TF ZINDERNEUF<br>
 -Commander Horatio Sinclair, Currently Unassigned<br>
+<h3 style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS','Arial'; color: royalblue; font-weight: bold;">USS FEYNMAN: Turbulant Tides</h3>
+<h4 style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS','Arial'; color: royalblue; font-weight: bold;">by
+Michael "Mike" Dailey 9-15-1997</h4>
+SD: 90915.2045 [90916.0045 GMT]<br>
+SCENE: Security Control, Deck 15<br>
+MD: 0.1700 (Following briefing)<br>
+Though off duty, Rory needed to finish a few loose ends before things
+became even more hectic aboard the FEYNMAN. The unofficial axiom in the
+'fleet was that nothing travelled faster that warp 10, except news. The
+hush over the forthcoming mission served only to fuel the proverbial rumor
+mill. Rory had heard quite a few interesting ones, from a reconnaissance
+mission into Xanthandi space to a confirmed SILVER offensive against the
+Husnock, from the Ship's Barber none the less. *Amazing what people can
+conjure up,* he thought.
+Security doors parted, and Rory strode in, heading towards his office.
+"Good afternoon, Ens. Heywood." came Micah Hicks, manning the Watch
+Officer's post. Rory wheeled around at the unexpected voice.
+"Mr. Hicks?, what happened to Jerry?" asked the ACSO. Micah looked
+quite comfortable, in excellent spirits sporting his new pair of
+solid silver pips, promoted to PO/2 just yesterday.
+"Mr. Jonas reported to the OOD, requested to be on sick leave," said Micah.
+"I checked with Mr. T'boc and volunteered for a double shift." Rory smiled,
+thinking perhaps a bit of vanity had encroached itself on Micah. He wondered
+what was wrong with Mr. Jonas, but would check the logs later.
+"Very well, Mr. Hicks." Rory turned to leave, but stopped himself. "Speaking
+of our Mr. T'boc, have you seen him recently?"
+"Not for a few hours, Sir." replied Micah. "I believe he's taken a patrol
+watch this shift." The senior NCO of security rarely took a patrol watch,
+but Rory had quickly learned to never underestimate the Vulcan SCPO.
+"My compliments to Mr. T'boc, and would he join me in my office when his
+rounds permit."
+"I'll inform him at once, Sir." said Micah. Rory nodded, and made way
+to the office. Across from his own, Lt. Allard's desk was empty, the top
+ready for an inspection as usual, home to nothing but the console and a PADD.
+Rory admired his immediate CO, a stickler for neatness, an area Rory was
+quite lacking. Sliding into his own chair, Rory didn't envy Mr. Allard
+today. When Rory had fled from the briefing earlier, the looks he saw told
+him he would not want to trade places with the CSO. Being on the receiving
+end of one of the Captain's tyrannical bouts was bad enough, but to have
+both the Captain AND the XO breathing down your neck was a nightmare many
+times over. Rory had heard the stories of how seasoned officers were full
+of quirks, and guessed he had landed with the champion of them all.
+Hitting the console, he opened his notes, reviewing what remained. Armory
+inventory completed...check. T'boc progressing on the sidearm upgrades...check.
+Schedule of surprise drills for the next two days, check....
+"Computer, access mail server. Display any new messages." said Rory. His notes
+disappeared, replaced by the mail subsystem. Three new messages, two were
+the past shift logs for his review. He keyed the third, and grimaced. An
+order from the Counsellor for a review of his Psych file. *I HATE doctors,
+and Counsellors even more!*, thought Rory. A smile came across his face as,
+thoughts drifting to the encounter with the ACNS, Amber. Perhaps he should
+send her a dinner invitation?, but dismissed the idea. Spontaneity more
+becoming of his style. Perhaps he would get a chance to see her at his review.
+[SNIP] MD: 1.1635 BRIDGE
+With the FEYNMAN's civilian compliment gone, a certain emptiness had
+crept over the ship. J.C. noticed it in everyone's mood, especially of
+those whom had left close ones behind on Zinderneuf. Checking his
+console, the diagnostic was just finishing on the aft sensors. Everything
+checked out perfect, the same as the last two times he had run the
+subroutine. J.C. ordered a few unscheduled drills for his department,
+partially to keep their skills sharp, but also to alleviate the
+tedium while in transit.
+The Department briefing had been quite short, as there was very little
+J.C. could relay to his squad leaders and ACSO. No transfers had
+occurred, and if not for the two promotions of Mr. Hicks and Mr. Okano,
+the entire meeting would have been unnecessary. A glance at the
+chronometer showed it just now clicking to 1640.<br>
+<I>
+> “Alright, Alpha shift, let’s go. Beta shift, you’re on. Commander<br>
+> Jenn, you have the Bridge.”<br>
+><br>
+> Most of the senior officers, including Maril started to walk towards<br>
+><br>
+> the turbolifts. However, before Allard could step into one, Maril<br>
+> stopped him, tapping him on his shoulder. “Mr. Allard, I’d like you to<br>
+> report to my office at 2000 hours. I have something to discuss with you.”<br>
+</I>
+<nowiki>*Oh great, more rhetoric from the assistant-tyrant*</nowiki> thought J.C. Over the past
+year, Cdr. Maril and himself had not seen eye to eye on every issue, J.C. held
+a certain respect for the Tamarian XO. J.C. was quite sure the Commander was
+far more wiser and possibly dangerous than one would initially suspect.
+"Orders received and understood, Sir." came J.C. reply, a bit dry in tone, but
+by the book at least. For now, however, 10 Forward was his calling of the moment.
+[SNIP] 10 Forward
+J.C. stared at the bottom of his empty glass, contemplating another Tirellian
+Water. He fought the urge for something a bit more potent, but wanted to
+remain 100% when he met with Maril. He motioned for a server, as the
+ship's caller sounded.<br>
+<I>
+> [Attention all hands this is the Captain. I regret to inform you<br>
+> that on Stardate 90831 USS HAWKING was attacked and disabled by a<br>
+> Xanthandi mutagenic weapon. To prevent capture the HAWKING was<br>
+> scuttled after the crew escaped to a nearby planet. Following a<br>
+> brief skirmish with Xanthandi ground forces survivors were rescued by<br>
+> USS MANTA RAY, ZINDERNEUF’s special operations scout. Please join me<br>
+> in a minute of silence to honour our fallen comrades.]<br>
+</I>
+He had not known anyone of the HAWKING personally, but the loss of 'fleet
+comrades was still a shock. For SILVER to loose yet another ship of the
+line was quite a blow. First the ELIZABETH BLACKWELL, and now the HAWKING.
+Even GREEN fleet casualties were not as high, such an irony considering
+SILVER's remaining compliment.
+"Get you a refill, Sir?" asked the steward.
+"Huh?" J.C. slipped back to the here and now. The Bolian indicated to the CSO's
+empty glass.
+"Would you like a refill?"
+"Yeah....er, on second thought, give me a Long Island ice tea," said J.C. The
+steward giggled.
+"Ahhh, someone's in a festive mood!" as he keyed in the drink. *Not quite,*
+thought J.C., *but it will do for now.* J.C. seized the glass from the Bolian,
+swiveled on his stool to face the large observation windows. Raising his glass
+in salute, J.C. mumbled a silent tribute to the HAWKING and her crew.
+[SNIP]
+Pausing outside the XO's office, J.C. took a few deep breaths. He had quite a
+lot to get off his chest, protocol be damned. He was determined to set a few things
+straight, and would not walk away from this meeting until he was satisfied.
+He walked up to the doors, activating the chime sensors. A few moments passed by,
+J.C. suddenly became angry at the thought of missing his chance to let off some
+steam. He reached for the wall mounted chime. From inside, J.C. heard the somewhat
+muffled response,<br>
+<I>
+> “Enter,” Maril said, still concentrating on his research.<br>
+><br>
+> Lt.(jg) Allard stepped through the doors and stood at attention,<br>
+> strangely in about the same spot Sadel had.<br>
+><br>
+> “Lt. Allard reporting as ordered, Sir!," Allard said, his flat tone<br>
+> not letting any emotion come through his voice but making it clear that<br>
+> he did not wish to be where he was.<br>
+><br>
+> Maril turned off his console and looked at Allard. “At ease,<br>
+> Lieutenant.” J.C. relaxed ever so slightly, he did not want to<br>
+> feel at-ease.<br>
+<br>
+> He sighed. “Lieutenant, I have no wish to make this long and<br>
+drawn-out. *Now THERE'S a contradiction in terms,* thought J.C.<br>
+He relaxed to full at-ease realizing this may take a few hours.<br>
+<br>
+> You are an excellent Chief of Security and Tactical Officer.<br>
+> You have been invaluable in many of our missions.<br>
+><br>
+> “Yet I can not understand how you can simply shirk your duties as a<br>
+> senior officer and send your assistant in your place. The senior mission<br>
+> briefing is not a party which you can decline to attend. You have an<br>
+> obligation to be at those briefings, Lieutenant. As you found out, this<br>
+> mission is quite important. Are you going to leave your part in such an<br>
+> important mission to your assistant, Mr. Allard?<br>
+</I>
+Numerous responses popped into his mind, but before he could select his
+favourite, Maril continued on with this oration.<br>
+<I>
+> “Now, this is something of a minor offense. The hurled stone did<br>
+> not hit the townspeople. But I need to know that everyone will do his<br>
+> or her duty in this mission. Do I have that assurance from you, Mr.<br>
+> Allard?”<br>
+>
+> “Of course, sir.”<br>
+>
+> “Good. You are dismissed.” J.C. remained, as this was far from over.<br>
+</I>
+"Was there something else, Mr. Allard.?" asked the XO. *Here goes,*
+"Permission to speak freely, SIR." J.C. came to attention once more, as
+Maril's eyes probed the young CSO. Silence withheld for an eternity of
+a few moments. Finally, the Tamarian spoke, reclining slightly in the
+comforts of his chair.
+"Granted, Mr. Allard." his voice was the quiet serious tone he had come to
+be quite familiar with.
+"Sir, this isn't about some bloody briefing... it's about respect!" He stared
+into the XO's unmoving eyes. J.C. gestured towards the bridge, "Respect from
+that damned Tyrant!".
+"Please continue," came Maril, the words ever so soft. His blatant insolence
+had not shown upon the XO.
+"Sir, I follow orders, I run a tight and efficient department, and each of
+my people I'm proud to serve with. Flagship be damned, I'll put my troopers
+up against any other unit!" J.C. was suddenly aware of the perspiration
+upon his forehead, and the sudden warmth of the room.
+"Sir, as far back as our first mission into the Coalsack, I've always held
+the interests of the Federation, Star Fleet, and the crew to heart. But
+every time I offer advise or counsel, it falls on deaf ears. My logs are
+filled with recommendations, suggestion, and yes concerns. I'm here to
+do my job, Commander. That's why I was commissioned and that's what I
+want to do, but I may as well be Lt. Dunsel, Sir." J.C. studied the
+Tamarian, trying to peer into his mind, but Maril was quite good at
+masking his reactions.
+Submitted,<br>
+Mike Dailey<br>
+splatter2@qtm.net<br>
++=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=<br>
+= "But that dread of something after death, the undiscovered country from whose +<br>
++ bourn no traveler returns, puzzles the will, and makes us rather bear those =<br>
+= ills we have than fly to others that we know not of..." Hamlet +<br>
++ =<br>
+= Lt., j.g. J.C.M. Allard - CSO USS FEYNMAN Alt.Starfleet.RPG +<br>
++ Lt. [Dr.] D'doj Zzawj Ckorji - UNASSIGNED SILVER FLEET =<br>
+= Lcdr. Jordon Kabreigny - CNS USS BURKE GREEN FLEET +<br>
++ Lcdr. Ion Steiner - L.C. SFDITF TEAM ALPHA-1 Star Fleet Diplomatic Task Force =<br>
+= Capt. Johan Bauer - COMSFDITF "All I ask is a tall ship..." +<br>
++=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=<br>

USS Feynman SEP 1997: Difference between revisions

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Revision as of 13:18, 31 March 2025