Hey folks, I see we've hit a bit of a lull.  Do you want me to bump things forward?

Also, Nomad just helped push my imagination in a new direction.  This is why I love Trek gaming... I LOVE when players come up with new wrinkles!

Stardate 2365.05.16 - Impact minus 49:20
USS Peregrine, Captain's Ready Room - 16:26

Drake sat at his desk while Lieutenant Ferrero shared his concerns.  Silas had to admit that he was glad to know that his 2O had apparently undergone a change of heart in terms of whether or not the Peregrine should intervene.

The Ops chief made compelling points as to how they could be fostering a theocracy on the planet, how no matter what they did, it violated the Prime Directive. 

Drake nodded.  "Ander, I understand your concern.  If we act in ANY manner, it will impact the development of the planet.  There is no doubt of that; and there is no doubt that doing so is at odds with the entire purpose of the Prime Directive."

Ferrero's words reverberated deep within Drake's psyche.  It seems the Universe has not given you the option of following the Prime Directive.  By the choice to act or the choice to not act, the Peregrine will determine a planet’s fate. 

The Ops chief continued to speak.

"Commander, if we had a way to stick with the Prime Directive I might well continue to argue for that line.  But I don't think we do.  And in the absence of a way to avoid breaking the Directive, there really only seems to be one choice.  We need to stop it."

Silas swallowed before replying.  "I concur.  We will detemine their fate - and I will not move on from here ignoring their pleas.  If they had a few small technological advances, it would be our duty to save them.  I cannot accept that a lack of those advances justifies the damnation of their entire species, their entire world.  We must stop this destruction, their extinction.  Rest assured that I will no longer debate the 'if' of that matter - I will only consider the 'how'."

As the Second Officer took his leave, Ferrero added on his opinion that it was better to allow the Peregrine to be seen, and thus dilute the chances that the rescue was perceived as part and parcel of divine interference.  Silas was not sure how he felt about revealing his ship to primitives, but he had to conceed that Ander had a point. 

The Captain nodded.  "I don't know that I agree with that course, Lieutenant, but you raise some excellent points.  I will take your advice into consideration."

Hey folks, a quick reminder here.  Try to remember to keep your post headers in place.  These should include the following:

The date - currently, we are including that "impact minus" section, thogh this is optional.
The location.  The time.  Please see my example below.

Stardate 2365.05.16 - Impact minus 49:45
USS Peregrine, Captain's Ready Room - 15:51

When the posts start flying fast and furious, with different people doing different things, the timeline can get challenging - especially when people start backposting to clear things up.  Post headers ae CRITICAL to keeping things straight.

Thank you!

Nomad and Alodie (formerly Brennus) are authorized players on the game.  Welcome aboard!

There we go.  A post!

Stardate 2365.05.16 - Impact minus 49:45
USS Peregrine, Captain's Ready Room - 15:51

Captain Drake sat stoically as a rather rumpled Commander Kennedy assumed parade rest in front of his desk and brought up Ensign Owen's little science flight.  Momentarily, she sought permission to speak freely.

Silas nodded.  "Of course, Commander.  I always welcome the honest input of my staff," he replied.

Once the permission was granted, the CEO launched into a frankly surprising tack of how the Angel was unproven, how the mission was volatile, how she felt that Zai should be the pilot.  As she freely admitted, the engineer was offering advice outside the scope of her expertise... the entire conversation was frankly bizarre.  What right did she think that she had to come and advise the captain as to who should and should not pilot a frilling shuttle?

For several heartbeats, Drake allowed her words to hang unanswered in the air as the fingers of his right hand pressed into the surface of the desk.  And then, suddenly, the truth hit him around the head and shoulders.

The wrinkled uniform, the mussed hair, the bizarre subject matter delivered with an utterly professional tone - a tone much like the one that Kennedy had used when she lied to him at the staff meeting about the status of the replicators.

No, the Chief Engineer wasn't lying, per se - but she was omitting some very relevant information.  It didn't take some seasoned poker player to read the tells on the woman's face, in her voice and body language.  Kennedy had far more than a professional stake in this matter.

She was sleeping with the Peregrine's XO.

For several more heartbeats, the Captain strongly considered issuing a blistering rebuke, advising the engineer to stick to her responsibilities and warning her to never again darken his door when confusing her personal life with her duty.  But for once, he opted to make an attempt at a more... diplomatic approach.

"Commander Kennedy," Silas spoke, gesturing to a chair in front of his desk, "have a seat." He allowed a long pause before adding on.  "Please."

OOC: assuming that she complies...

"Kennedy," he continued, "I appreciate you sharing your concerns with me.  Your passion is plain to see, and I can respect passion." He met the CEO's gaze and held it for several moments with a neutral expression.  The two of them had understood one another well enough when she told her lie at the staff meeting.  Silas was hoping that Kennedy would similarly understand his meaning here.

Momentarily, Drake resumed.  "With that said, Commander, I have every confidence in Ensign Owen, who is an extremely talented pilot.  You may not be aware, but I personally gave Owen her field commission largely due to her flying that very craft you speak of.  When most of my crew - including Commander Zai - were incapacitated, Ensign Owen flew the Aurora Angel on the mission to the USS Serapis that ended up eliminating the Chimera nanite threat in the face of extremely difficult conditions."

He paused for a moment.  "I have studied the science reports for 2365 C41A3 DN17 in great depth.  The asteroid is large, it is dense, and it has an unusual magnetic field.  None of these items would be enough to deter me from sending a second year cadet on a flight to it; Owen is so much more than qualified for the task that there is simply nothing to discuss there.  Now, if you don't feel that the Aurora Angel is a viable choice as a vessel, I see no reason to not simply use a more conventional shuttlecraft."

Drake shook his head.  "As for Commander Zai..." his voice trailed off for a moment.  "Yes, I grounded him from all flights.  He was planning to take the Aurora Angel, fly her to the asteroid, crash into it, or detonate the warp core, or otherwise destroy or break up the rock.  He tried to resign his commission to do so in a noble - albeit futile - gesture to protect me and the Peregrine from the ire of Starfleet Command.  As if admiralty is so foolish as to believe that an XO quitting and flying his personal ship away would somehow not raise objections from his Captain."

Silas chuckled ruefully.  "Of all the harebrained schemes... Kennedy, even were we orbiting Mars, I still could not simply accept the resignation of an XO from a ship under weigh.  To say nothing of the fact that while that shuttle belongs to Tochi, I suppose... with no title or registration for it from Starfleet, any ownership is in spirit, at best. Starfleet would correctly point out that he crafted it using a great deal of raw materials and replicator cycles that belong to them.  So not only would I be derelict in duty in allowing my XO to desert his posting, I'd also be allowing him to take Federation property to carry out a blindingly obvious mission to violate the Prime Directive.  His choices wouldn't shield me from court martial, wouldn't protect anyone.  All it would do would end up with him losing his career, likely his freedom, and potentially his life if he decided to go full on sacrifice."

The Captain sighed.  "No, Kennedy, I could not allow him to do that to himself.  He can be angry with me if that's what he needs, but I cannot let that happen."

Drake sat back in his chair.  "I don't know if you are aware, but we have received a distress signal from the planet.  They don't specifically know of the Federation, but they do realize that there are likely intelligent life forms here with the ability to save them.  They are begging for us to help, Kennedy.  Tomorrow, if we haven't found a better solution, we will destroy that asteroid with torpedoes, and that will be that.  I will play those recordings to Starfleet Command, will argue that we are not violating the Prime Directive - and hope that plea covers me to the court.  If not, so be it. If this is how the court rules, better I take the blame than both myself and Zai take it - and, say, possibly Ferrero as acting XO for not helping to stop Zai."

Momentarily, Silas took his feet.  "No, Commander," he spoke.  "I cannot let Tochi fly that shuttle.  Period.  I appreciate your concern, but my decision has been made, and it is sound.  If for some reason Ensign Owen feels that she is not qualified to fly the science mission, we will simply cancel it."

Drake sighed.  "Is there anything else, Commander?"

OOC: assuming nothing of importance...

The Captain nodded.  "Very well.  Dismissed."

We are about to start moving on this game again!

Man, it has been FOREVER.

What's funny is that while we took a huge hiatus, I had just reached out to the core group about kicking this gae back into motion.  I'm sending you a PM, Brennus!

Temper, temper... and the return of the Love Boat!

Stardate 2365.05.16 - Impact minus 51:10
USS Peregrine, Captain's Ready Room - 14:26

Silas sat at his desk, the blood no longer rushing is his ears.  No, instead, his fingertips trembled at the departure of the adrenaline in his system.

A dark cloud was settled across the Captain's visage; it hadn't seemed possible, but this unthinkably terrible situation had somehow grown even worse.

Damn his spotted hide.

For the tenth time, Silas replayed the encounter in his head.  Tochi had seemed taken aback, as if Silas had misunderstood.  Drake felt sick when he replayed that shocked expression in his mind's eye.   But no - even had he misread the Trill's general mental state, the fact remained that the Peregrine's XO was planning to unnecessarily throw at least his own career away.  Drake would not, could not stomach that.

Even if it did result in his best friend hating him for it.

Presently, the door chimed.  "Come," he half snarled at the door. 

Lieutenant Ch'ronnoss entered, then delivered news that essentially eliminated yet one more option.  "So what you are telling me, Lieutenant," Drake spoke, "is that it is simply not possible for us to move the asteroid without the Calicans knowing it."

OOC: assuming an affirmative response...

Drake nodded.  "That frankly makes perfect sense.  We know that the natives are observing the asteroid carefully, given that they have asked for help.  Even with very limited spaceflight, there's no way an object *this* large - on this type of intercept course with their planet - could be moved without their observation.  They clearly know enough to realize that impct is inevitible, so any intercept will be immediately noticable."

Silas sighed, pinched the bidge of his nose.  "There's simply no way for us to interfere without them knowing."

OOC: assuming another affirmative repsonse...

Drake cleared his throat.  That doesn't really preclude the existing plan, does it?

"Very well, Liuetenant.  Thank you for the report.  Dismissed."

****************************************

Stardate 2365.05.16 - Impact minus 50:07
USS Peregrine, Captain's Ready Room - 15:29

Drake sat at his desk, toying with some notes on his PADD.  The decision had been made.  He was very comfortable with his reasoning, but was realistic enough to know that Sterfleet likely would not.  A grin played at the corner of his mouth; it was entirely possible (likely?) that one of the Admirals that didn't care for him had more intelligence on this situation than they had let on, and had arranged for Drake's ship to catch this repair job.  Anyone that knew Silas likely new that it would be difficult for him to abandon the Calicans - and thus, end his career. 

Even had he possessed warning that this trap that had been laid, Silas would not have chosen differently.  As he made that realization, the stress began to slide off of his shoulders.  This might be the last decision of his career, but it was the right choice. 

Just as he bgan to relax, the COMM chirped.  =/=Ensign Owen ta Cap’n Drake.=/=

Silas grinned a tad despite himself.  The bubbly helmsman's voice was not exactly unwelcome.

=/=Sorry ta bother ye, sir,=/= the elfin ensign lilted, =/=but Sciences've presented the idea tha' physical samples o' 2365 C41A3 DN17'd go a long way as ta unravellin' some o' the mysteries where her EM field's concerned. I b'lieve, sir, tha' the ideas go' merit an', at th' vera least'd provide us wi' some fair bit o' referential data should we encounter similar situations in th' future. If ye dinna mind, Cap'n, I’d like ta give Ensign Elial th' go ahead on this. I'll make the necessary arrangements wi' Flight Control an' OPS.=/=

Silas frowned.  The rock would be vaporized soon - either in killing the Calicans or by a torpedo barrage from the Peregrine.  What did an odd elecrtomagnetic field actually matter?

But he listened, and it did strike him as reasonable for the Peregrine to establish data that might help in similar future encounters that Starfleet might face.  And moving to convenient shuttle range would serve double duty of putting them into comfortable torpedo range, as well.  "Very well, Ensign," the Captain replied.  "Lay in a course to take us within half a million kilometers of 2365 C41A3 DN17, then proceed at one quarter impulse.  From there, you can make the necessary arrangements to conduct a survey flight."

OOC: assuming a positive response

Drake nodded.  "Very well.  Drake out."  

FYI - I edited Ragnar's post slightly.  It looks like the time to impact was advanced correctly, but there was a typo on the timestamp - it was showing 13:18.  I changed this to 15:18.

I should have a Drake post up this afternoon.

I'll try to get a post up today, myself.

I can do  Drake post, and I suppose that I need to.  I was epecting the CEO to chime in at some point, as well.

Progress is a great thing.  Enjoyed the reads, folks!

I mean, TECHNICALLY, Kennedy is wandeing around playing shutle greasemonkey when she's on duty for ENG, but I assumed she had an unuderling running things in the meantime.

So, here is how this works.

In no case is the command chair EVER empty.  What happens is if the officer of the watch is called away for whatever reason, the next most senior officer will fulfill that role.  They would move from their duty station to the command chair, and a replacement from their department would take over that role. 

The 16th is a Sunday.  This is a little problematic on the roleplay front, as the posts we have done include both Zai and Owen but indicate that neither are on the bridge.  The schedule shows Zai in command, Owen at the CONN. 

Let's slide this to Lt. Moriden in command, PO Warren manning Ops.  In the future, we will try to be a little more careful as to watches, but it's the first posting in nine months, we might overlook a schedule here and there. 

As you may have noticed, we are restarting this game.  We have several active players, but have lost several others and need players to assume these lead roles - Chief Tactical Officer, Chief Operations Officer (character is also the Second Officer), Chief Medical Officer.

And as always, we are open to players who might wish to assume a junior officer or enlisted role.

Well, boo.  I hate to hear that, Ody.  You've stuck with us for a long time in a support role, then took over the department head as well.  **AND** you came up with the outside the box idea that may save the day!

I was looking forward to you sticking around. 

If you change your mind, you can always step back into John's shoes.

Players are good!

Stardate 2365.05.16 - Impact minus 51:32
USS Peregrine, Captain's Ready Room - 14:01

The moment Tochi had entered, something had felt... off.  It was a mere split second before the first officer's declaration that Silas realized that his XO was no longer wearing rank insignia.

"... It has been our pleasure to serve under your command, Silas, and to call you a friend," the Trill's commentary trailed off.

As Drake glanced at the pips on his desk, then at the Trill's face, blood rushed to his ears, and the very room began to feel as if it were rotating the same way that three drinks too many might cause.  Silas swallowed, then choked out a reply.  "Tochi, have a seat."

The XO didn't immediately comply, and the hesiation fired off the Captain's well documented temper.

"I said, SIT YOUR SPOTTED ASS DOWN.  NOW," Drake followed up in an iron tone.  "That is a DIRECT order."

OOC: assuming complicance...

Silas closed his eyes, pinched the bridge of his nose before fixing his gaze on the XO.  "First off, there is no way in any version of hell that I am accepting this resignation.  I won't let you do this to yourself, and selfishly, I NEED you, damn it."

The Captain sighed.  "It has been a pleasure?  What, that's it, and we aren't friends anymore?" Silas let the rhetorical question hang in the air for a moment, then his eyes narrowed.  "That's an awfully fatalisic proclomation," Silas observed.  "Resignation?  Goodbye?  You take your shuttle and leave?  We both know that you're planning to use that pretty shuttle of yours to destroy or derail that rock, ending your career - or your life - in the process." Drake shook his head.  "I think not.  This sounds far too much like some maudlin Vulcan 'the good of the many versus the good of the one' nonsense, and there is no need for anyone to sacrifice themselves to save these people."

Drake slammed his fist forcefully down on his desk.  "Did you know that they are begging for our help?  Have you heard the transmissions?"

OOC: assuming a response..

The Captain pressed a button, and the audio recording of the Calicans pleading for friendly aliens to save their children, save their species, played.  Drake's lips tightened.

"I'm done debating wheher or not we will interfere","Silas declared.  "That broadcast is enough jusification for me.  I will order the Peregrine to reposition close to the asteroid, within optimal firing range of a properly placed barrage of torpedoes.  If we don't come up with a better idea by tomorrow, I will order us to fire on the asteroid.  We will then repair the beacon and leave the system.  When they court martial me, I will play that broadcast for them.  If the powers that be side against me, I will accept my fate and lose no sleep over it.  Sorry, Tochi, but I will not be making my banquet table any longer - not to seat you, certainly not to seat an entire planet."

Silas leaned back and sighed, and his tone softened.  "You're too noble for your own good, Tochi.  And you're hurting - badly.  Your judgment is clouded with pain.  I bet if you ask some of your other personalities, they would agree with me."

Drake shook his head again.  "I frankly don't trust you right now to not kill yourself in some misguided attempt to do the right thing.  But the thing is - this isn't your choice to make."

Silas fixed Zai with a stony gaze.  "Effective immediately and until further notice, you are grounded, Commander Zai.  You will not pilot your Angel, any shuttlecraft, a worker bee - NOTHING.  You will not leave this ship except by my personal say so.  I will coordinate with Ensign Owen to divvy up your shifts until afer this crisis has passed.  Do you understand?"

OOC: assuming an affirmative response...

Drake nodded.  "Thank you. I trust that you will not behave in a manner that would require me to have you confined to quarters?  Don't think that I won't go as fas as to put you on a psyche hold or simply toss you in the brig for the duration, if that's what it takes."

OOC: a response...

Silas nodded again.  "Very well.  I am sorry if this offends you, Tochi, but I'd rather you hate me than you hurt yourself.  I need you.  The crew needs you.  Starfleett needs you."

The Capain paused.  "We have a plan and something of a justification.  If there's nothing better... well, it will be what it will be.  And that will be the right thing, regs be damned."

OOC: any response...

Silas nodded.  "Thank you for caring, for being willing.  But I cannot allow this to happen.  Dismissed."

OOC: assuming Zai leaves...

"Computer," Drake spoke, "Suspend all launch priviledges for Commander Zai.  He may not depart this ship except under my specific permission."

=/=Priviledges suspended=/= came the reply.

Next, he reached out to the aCFCO.  "Drake to Ensign Owen."

A hesitant voice replied.  =/=Owen here.=/=

"Ensign Owen," Dake spoke, "Commander Zai is temporarily incapacitated.  Until further notice, you will be responsible for all flight operations.  Please adjust the Flight Control schedule to compensate accordingly."

There was a bit of a delay, but the reply came.  =/=Aye, Captain.=/=

The Captain nodded.  "Very good," he replied.  "Drake out."

If it helps, Silas will likely have the exact same type of transparent conversation with Admiral Harding...

Stardate 2365.05.16 - Impact minus 51:40
USS Peregrine, Captain's Ready Room - 13:53

Silas sat at his desk, poring over the reports on his PADD for the hundredth time.  Sleep had been elusive; the nightmares were too heavy a price to pay for the limited rest he gained, and had resulted in the Captain spending a good deal of the night instead pacing the corridors.

His neck and shoulder muscles were drawn tight as a bowstring.  The weight of so many lives was crushing the Captain, pulling him deeply into despair - despair that Silas knew he had to resist, lest he be rendered useless.

Dear God, they were begging for help.  The entire situation was too cruel to bear; had the planet been warp capable, the Peregrine would have swooped in at maximum warp to save them.   Being a hundred, two hundred years away?  They were doomed to die for a capricious, arbitrarty rule.

Silas swallowed, the taste of bile strong, when the intercom chimed.

=/=Zai to Commander Drake.=/=

"Drake here," the Captain croaked.  Clearing his throat, Silas tried again.  "What can I do for you, Tochi?"

=/=Sir, I believe we might have a solution where the Calican situation is concerned. If you can spare the time, we’d like to request a meeting to discuss it at your convenience.=/= came the XO's request.

Silas chuckled ruefully at the dark absurdity.  At my convenience?   "Commander Zai, I will cancel my raquetball plans for you immeditaely.  I await you in the Ready Room."  

No worries.  Just considering giving you a chance to keep this from the Capain for his own good, if you so desired.  If you wish, I will roll with it as is!