Stardate: 2356.05.16

USS Peregrine, Shuttle Bay 2 – Aurora Angel – 01:25

A pile of chocolate wrappers lay in an avalanche across her desk back in engineering.  In her quarters a small plant lay on its side, blue petals drooping down to sweep across the floor, the ceramic pot it called home cracked down the middle.  As for California Eugene Kennedy herself?  She stood up in one of the bays of the Aurora, her hands stretched up into a panel in the ceiling.  Loud music pumped through the speakers in the little ship, making it vibrate in time with the deep beats.  

Everything, it seemed, was not going well after the staff meeting.  She was still kicking herself for lying to her Captain, even if he had understood what she was doing it for and had apparently accepted it, it still did not sit right with her.  They barely had a working relationship, and already she was staring him in the eye and lying to his face.  Grumbling she yanked on the line of wires she had in her hand, gaining another foot or so of it in her grip as she did.  

To make matters worse she wasn’t finding the solution to their problem.  Even now it didn’t come to her.  She had wanted to talk to John.  They had spent three weeks together hashing through a myriad collection of problems concerning the Peregrine.  He was easy to talk to, even easier to toss ideas around with, and there was even the (remote) possibility that he was a better engineer than she was.  She knew she couldn’t though, not yet at any rate.  The Starbase could not get a whiff of what was going on here, damn the Prime Directive.  

The solution was there, it was always there, or at least that was what she had always thought.  The issue was connecting the ideas in her mind.  Right now all of her thoughts bounced back and forth between two central ideas.  7 Billion People!  It’s the deflector shield, but… how!?    

She gave another hard pull on the wires and this time several feet gave way and she tumbled back at the sudden release in pressure on the other end.  The wire tumbled out of the open panel and coiled on the floor below.  Her feet caught on each other and she stepped backward into a wall, which thankfully stopped her backward progression and left her standing.  With a curse she kicked at the wiring.  

“Can’t even do this right!  For heaven’s sake - California!”  She growled, the anger starting to well up in her chest.  

There were only a few more hours left before she had to be on duty, but she couldn’t sleep, she couldn’t work either.  None of this was going well.  There was wrench laying on one of the nearby counters, and suddenly it was in her hands.  The metallic clang of it hitting against one of the wall panels rang out through the Aurora, followed by another and another, a few curses mingled into the distressing music she created.  

Stardate 2365.05.16 (Sunday) - Impact minus 55:48
USS Peregrine, Deck 3, Mess Hall - 09:45

Scrambled eggs—three to be exact—with melted sharp cheddar cheese and pico de mayo bunched up next to four pieces of thick-cut apple maple bacon and a thick waffle covered in melted sweet butter and maple syrup send tendrils of tantalizing aromas to tickle his nostrils. A little blurry-eyed, Ander reaches across the meal and lifts the piping white mug bearing the Starfleet logo to just below his lips, for a moment allowing the aromatic aroma of sweetened coffee to join the symphony of scents.

"Even with a full cycle of sleep," the COO states with a gentle smile on his lips, his eyes closed, "the smell of coffee will wake you up."

Across from the Latino man sits a blue-skinned Andorian with a blue and black uniform. Ferrero knows enough about Andorians to know that they don't need nearly the amount of sleep that humans do. I wonder if he even knows what being sleep deprived feels like, Ander muses, opening his eyes to meet the scientist's gaze.

"Yes, well," he pauses to sip the hot liquid, "enough of the small talk. Ops has been scouring the communications and it's a little all over the place. Tell me your department has had better luck."

Stardate 2365.05.16 (Sunday) - Impact minus 51:07
USS Peregrine, Deck 5 - 1435

Ander stares at the PADD in hand, frowning at the stream of reports from Alpha shift when O'Connor arrives and approaches him. He sees her from the corner of his eye and looks up to receive her salute.

"Petty Officer Frist Class Aoife O'Connor reporting, sir. Petty Officer Amai is medically indisposed, sure. Herself is on the way to Doctor Veen now; the poor lass 'as a terrible headache on her, so I'd be standing her Ops watch today."

Lieutenant Ferrero straightens and his face brightens at the sight of her. "Poor, Mr. Amai," he says with an inappropriate amount of cheer, "But it's jodidamente bueno that she has such a helpful roommate. Take your post, Mr. O'Connor."

"Aye, sir," O'Connor replies.

Stardate 2365.05.16 (Sunday) - Impact minus 47:59
USS Peregrine, Deck 1, Bridge - 1829

Aoife swallows, takes a breath, and speaks aloud. "Lieutenant Ferrero," she opens, "I've a broadcast found tha' ye need to hear, sir."

Ander turns his heavily-hooded gaze towards the woman and responds, the PADD he's still reviewing now resting on his left knee while he sits in the captain's chair. "Oh? Please tell me it's a stand-up comedy routine that's actually funny."

"This message is being sent every half hour," she explains. Aoife presses a button and translated audio fills the bridge.

=/\= Attention, space-faring beings. We, the citizens of Archin, know that we are not alone in this universe. There is no possibility that so many habitable planets exist in our galaxy with no other intelligent life on them. We may not yet see you, but we know that you are there.

Our world will be destroyed by an asteroid that we cannot prevent. But if you are here and receiving this broadcast, then you surely possess the technology to do so. 

Please, we beg of you. Save our children. Save our species. Save our world. =/\=

"Tha's all of it," Aoife pronounces as the audio falls silent, her alto voice even lower and more husky than normal. "They're askin' for our help, sure, sir."

Ander blinks rapidly, absorbing the message, his eyebrows raised in surprise. "Well... eso no le gana a todo ..." of course, the crew is going to want more than that. "Mr. Reid, where is Archin located and what do we know of it?"

(OOC: Assuming a report...)

"And the origin of the broadcast, Mr. O'Connor?" he turns his inquisitive gaze towards the Petty Officer.

(OOC: Assuming a report...)

"Do we know anything at all about the gato who's voice we're hearing?" This question, he leaves hanging in the air for anyone to respond to. "And how long have they known about the asteroid? Anyone have any idea about that one?"

He wants to have answers before he reaches out to Captain Drake. 

Stardate 2365.05.16 (Sunday) - Impact minus 47:59
USS Peregrine, Deck 1, Bridge - 18:29

John listened as PO O'Connor addressed the Lieutenant.

"Lieutenant Ferrero, I've a broadcast found tha' ye need to hear, sir."

Ander responds, "Oh? Please tell me it's a stand-up comedy routine that's actually funny."

"This message is being sent every half hour," Aoife presses a button and translated audio fills the bridge.

=/\= Attention, space-faring beings. We, the citizens of Archin, know that we are not alone in this universe. There is no possibility that so many habitable planets exist in our galaxy with no other intelligent life on them. We may not yet see you, but we know that you are there.

Our world will be destroyed by an asteroid that we cannot prevent. But if you are here and receiving this broadcast, then you surely possess the technology to do so. 

Please, we beg of you. Save our children. Save our species. Save our world. =/\=

"Tha's all of it," Aoife pronounces as the audio falls silent, her alto voice even lower and more husky than normal. "They're askin' for our help, sure, sir."

The Lieutenant responed,"Well... eso no le gana a todo ..."......"Mr. Reid, where is Archin located and what do we know of it?"

John looked up from the TAC,"Sir, I would have to believe that Archin is the what they call their world, Calican II is the Federation designation for the planet. By this time I'd guess the brodcasts were being sent in all directions from around the plant to better their chances to have them recieved."

"And the origin of the broadcast, Mr. O'Connor?" he turns his inquisitive gaze towards the Petty Officer.

(OOC: Assuming a report...)

"Do we know anything at all about the gato who's voice we're hearing?" This question, he leaves hanging in the air for anyone to respond to. "And how long have they known about the asteroid? Anyone have any idea about that one?"

He wants to have answers before he reaches out to Captain Drake. 

Stardate 2634.5.15
USS Peregrine, Deck 5, CTO's Office - 19:45

John had sent the basic facts of what the Peregrine’s fire power could do but now he guessed Zhay-la needed to figure out how to do a full rack break into a three cushion bank shot around the eight ball. The Lieutenant may have been able to direct an attack on an incoming enemy but the subtle use of force may be a challenge.

They had talked over the ideas: Will we get a better reaction to a full impact body blow or a high energy sustained push to drive the asteroid a few degrees off current course? 

Would we need Engineering and flight ops to figure how many degrees is needed to miss the planet and send the asteroid on its merry way? Or Science to figure how small of bits it needs to be pulverized into to render it harmless? 

Knocking it off course has to figure the impact in just the right location to push the whole thing and not just start it spinning like a pinwheel.

Or can it be broken into chunks that can be more easily moved with shuttles and tractor beams.

They had tried the holodeck to run simulations of photon torpedo arrays for time enhanced reaction and viewing. Zhay-la was showing signs of frustration, “Reid, this still isn’t enough; it is not conclusive. If it wasn’t for the Captain so worried about that Prime Directive more force might be able to be applied.”

Reid was torn, he had an idea that may prove sufficient to move or even break up the asteroid but he needed someone else’s help. What he had in mind was on the edge of breaking the Prime Directive and he couldn’t tell Taissud. He had promised her he would always tell her the truth but he hadn’t promised to always volunteer the truth. There was only one other person on the ship he could dare discuss this with and still protect the Captain from suspicion, “Sir, with your leave I’ll look into this further.”

Zhay-la looked up from the data on her comm, “Very well, see what else you can find. Dismissed.”

John left the CTO’s office and headed up to find the First Officer.

Stardate 2365.05.16 (Sunday) - Impact minus 55:48
USS Peregrine, Deck 3, Mess Hall - 09:45

Esel looked over the table of arrayed food and did his best to hide his disgust, hoping that his table manners where up to the job. Even will his best scientific head on, he couldn't shake the fear that just being around, seeing and or smelling such foods would poison and corrupt his body to the point he was no longer an efficient being.  

 Each to their own, who am I to judge anothers choice.  

He mused while wondering how a man who enjoyed this type of food in this quantity managed to keep his uniform fitting, he took a draft of his tall iced water, savouring the feeling of it entering his system.

"Even with a full cycle of sleep," the COO stated with a smile, his eyes closed, "the smell of coffee will wake you up."  

"Indeed" He nodded in agreement, though coffee was still a poison that he would not upset the balance of his body with by ingesting it, the aroma certainly had a captivating quality to it.  

The COO opened his eyes finally and looked across at Esel,

"Yes, well," he pauses to sip the hot liquid, "enough of the small talk. Ops has been scouring the communications and it's a little all over the place. Tell me your department has had better luck."

Picking the PADD up from the seat beside him, he started to lay out the foundation of the plan. Sliding the PADD across the table so that the COO could see the visuals whilst enjoying his meal.

".....Basically If we can redirect enough power to the deflector, whilst maintaining a close and fast orbit, we can act as a Gravity Tractor and pull the asteroid off course without any explosions or energy signatures."   

"The effeteness of this approach would be increase with assistance from other Starfleet assets within system. The only consideration is how far do we pull it and in which new direction do we send it safely."

As he finished, he sent the data over to the COO, and sat back taking another draft from his glass and waited patiently for him to finish his current mouthful, and to hear his thought on the data presented.

Stardate 2365.05.16 (Sunday) - Impact minus 55:45
USS Peregrine, Deck 3, Mess Hall - 09:48

Picking the PADD up from the seat beside him, Esel started to lay out the foundation of the plan. Sliding the PADD across the table so that the COO can see the visuals whilst enjoying his meal.

"...Basically, If we can redirect enough power to the deflector, whilst maintaining a close and fast orbit, we can act as a Gravity Tractor and pull the asteroid off course without any explosions or energy signatures." The CSO pauses a moment to allow the information to sink in. "The effectiveness of this approach would be increased with assistance from other Starfleet assets within system. The only consideration is how far do we pull it and in which new direction do we send it safely."

As he finishes, he sends the data over to the COO's account and sits back taking another draft from his glass while waiting patiently for Ander to finish his current mouthful, and to hear his thoughts on the data presented.

Lt. Ferrero sets the fork down and chews on his eggs, his tired eyes scanning the information presented in the PADD. He understands the basics having taken many science classes in the Academy but the deeper math and equations are Greek to him. Swallowing his bite, the Operations Officer scratches at his chin and nods slowly. 

"Bueno," he says with less energy than he intends. "This will likely present very well, only... we don't yet have an inkling in how to align this effort with the Prime Directive. Gaining assistance from additional Starfleet assets may be out of the question. Have you checked with Engineering to confirm the viability of this? Perhaps even rerouting power to increase the output of the deflector to compensate for a lack of additional ships?"

Pushing the PADD back towards Esel once he sees the transfer of data indicated in the notifications, Ander takes up his fork again and pushes some eggs around on his plate as he contemplates another factor that just came to mind. "In line with the Prime Directive," he muses, "How do we provide an explanation for the change in direction that the people of Calican II would accept should they discover it? True, their technology isn't exactly up to our standards but there's some chatter that indicates people are aware of the pending collision. A sudden change in trajectory might be suspicious."

Stardate 2365.05.16 (Sunday) - Impact minus 55:45

USS Peregrine, Deck 3, Mess Hall - 09:48

"Bueno, this will likely present very well, only... we don't yet have an inkling in how to align this effort with the Prime Directive. Gaining assistance from additional Starfleet assets may be out of the ques-tion. Have you checked with Engineering to confirm the viability of this? Perhaps even rerouting power to increase the output of the deflector to compensate for a lack of additional ships?"

"You are quite correct on all accounts, for the Prime Directive we are already freefalling into murky skies and without assistance by our calculations we will need get this started today, as for the power requirements it is possible for the Peregrine to do, but not without great danger. I'm still awaiting the final report from Engineering to come through, but time is critical so having all persons in place and aware will save time.

The COO pushes the PADD towards him, and starts eating again, this time obvious thinking about the situation at hand and no longer savouring his food, before carrying on.

"In line with the Prime Directive, how do we provide an explanation for the change in direction that the people of Calican II would accept should they discover it? True, their technology isn't exactly up to our standards but there's some chatter that indicates people are aware of the pending collision. A sudden change in trajectory might be suspicious."

Esel studied the man before him for a moment before shrugging his shoulders. "Honestly its irrelevant what they think, accept or believe. Whether its a mis calculation by them, some cosmic force or Divine intervention. We are not here; they don't know we are here, and we are not going to swoop in for a medal ceremony."

He paused briefly and gave out a low chuckle "Besides the gravity tractor solution is much cleaner than it suddenly bursting into billions of pieces, and swamping the planet in a grand light show, as you suggested might happen post the brief."

He sat back and took a swig of water, and looked out of the window into the darkness beyond.

But should we be interveaning at all.

Stardate 2634.5.15
USS Peregrine, Deck 5 - 20:00

John tucked his PADD under his arm and then tapped his comm., “Computer, where is Commander Zai?”

=^= “Lieutenant Commander Zai is in his quarters.”=^=

Reaching the turbo lift, he tapped the panel. When the door slid open he entered, “Level two, please.” He knew the pleasantry wasn’t needed but it had always been part of him to be respectful, even to mechanical voices.

Exiting the lift he made his way to the Seconds’s quarters, activated the door chime and waited.

(Assuming Tochi says to enter)

Entering the hastily said,” Commander, may I speak to you in private?”

Tochi was seated at his work station review reports, looking up, he regarded the urgency of the ACTO’s face.

(Assuming he says something and then closes the door.)

Stepping forward John held out his PADD the Commander, “Sir, I don’t know how much information the CTO has shared as of yet on the use of force on the asteroid to destroy or alter its course. I have discussed the photon torpedo strategies Lieutenant Taissard, we ran several pattern simulations but none seemed to be powerful enough. The only alternative I can see to create a significantly larger effect would be a warp core breach.

The type-10 shuttle has a 250 Cochrane warp engine, that would yield a nearly 690 gigaton explosion.

(Assuming the Commander has some comments.)

“Sir, there is no stealthy way to deploy either the photon torpedos or to destroy a Federation asset. Those could easily be interpreted as action in violation of the Prime Directive….” John let that hang for a moment before he continued.

“But there may be an alternative to using a Federation asset.”  John knew what he was about to say would affect the Commander. Zai had recently suffered a personal loss of two close friends whose memory is tied to what he was about to suggest; an idea that would be like rubbing salt in those wounds.  

John steeled himself and continue, “There is another non Federation warp craft on board, “ he paused..” that has been going through some repair work and would need a test flight….”

 John’s heart hurt but he had to continue, “It would be Peregrines’ obligation to mitigate any action created by such an accident, such as removing the asteroid’s debris field which could be interpreted as complying to the Directive.”

John waited his fate.

Stardate 2634.5.15
USS Peregrine, Deck 5, CTO’s Office - 20:00

Zhay-la looked up from the data on her comm, “Very well, see what else you can find. Dismissed.”

Lieutenant Reid rose and left her office.

As the door slide shut the Orion officer pounded her fist on the desk, “This is not what I signed for. This is war ship, we should be tracking down pirates or Klingons or Romulans, not attacking some chunk of rock…how will I show them….?

Well she would just have to wait, but until then she needed to share these reports with the captain as he had requested.

‘Computer, where is Captain Drake?’

=^= Captain Drake is in the Captain’s Ready Room. =^=

Taissard took her PADD and headed to the lift. As she exited on level two she saw Reid step into Commander Zai’s room; the door sliding closed behind him. Her brow furrowed as she wondered why her ATOC would be consulting with the ship’s second officer..but then she has told him gather more information. She must remember to inquire about this later.

Reaching the Ready Room she activated the chime.

(assuming the Captain opens the door and calls her in.)

Lifting her PADD as she entered, “Captain I have the results of my analysis of our weapons on the asteroid. The holodeck simulations were not as conclusive as I would have liked; I have Mister Reid checking to find other options.”

Zhay-la handed the PADD to the Captain, “Seeing that time grows shorter I wanted to present what we have.”

Stardate 2365.05.16 (Sunday) - Impact minus 55:41

USS Peregrine, Deck 3, Mess Hall - 09:52

"In line with the Prime Directive, how do we provide an explanation for the change in direction that the people of Calican II would accept should they discover it? True, their technology isn't exactly up to our standards but there's some chatter that indicates people are aware of the pending collision. A sudden change in trajectory might be suspicious."

Esel studies the man before him for a moment before shrugging his shoulders. "Honestly it's irrelevant what they think, accept, or believe. Whether it's a miscalculation by them, some cosmic force, or Divine intervention. We are not here; they don't know we are here, and we are not going to swoop in for a medal ceremony."

He pauses briefly and gives out a low chuckle, "Besides the gravity tractor solution is much cleaner than it suddenly bursting into billions of pieces, and swamping the planet in a grand light show, as you suggested might happen post the brief."

The Chief Science Officer sits back and takes a swig of water, and looks out of the window into the darkness beyond. Ander chews on the inside of his left cheek for a couple of seconds while he ponders the Andorian's position. Slowly nodding his head, Ferrero uses his fork to cut away a portion of his meal and then absentmindedly deposits it in his mouth. Too reckless, he concludes. At least without some way of scientifically explaining the detour...

"I'm afraid I need to disagree, Esel," Ander says after swallowing. "The Prime Directive requires no interference. Without arguing the finer philosophical points and just sticking with the facts at hand, anyone with a decent amount of skill could argue that an unexplained change to the trajectory of the meteor affected the inhabitants. Who knows what kind of disruption it could cause in their societies? Maybe the course of their entire theology might be affected, or their focus on science completely derailed... I'm just pointing out that when we present this option to the Captain, we better have answers to those kinds of questions." Reaching for his coffee, he adds, "And I'm not the scientist here so coming up with an idea here is completely out of my wheelhouse, comprendo?"

Lifting the steaming beverage to his lips, Ander does his best to portray a friendly visage, understanding the militant nature of Andorians and not wishing to insult Esel.

Stardate 2365.05.16 (Sunday) - Impact minus 55:41

USS Peregrine, Deck 3, Mess Hall - 09:52

Esel calmly turned towards the man in front of him, reminding himself that they were in the mess hall and that a less formal tone of conversation was not only excepted but expected. He took a deep breath as he collected his thought, he needed to calmly and rationally work his way through his next few sentences with as much decorum as possible.

"The moment the Captain made the decision to involve us into the plight of Calican II we plunged headfirst off the lofty cliff of 'No Interference' there is no getting away from that, no matter the justification. Should we be successful in this venture and manage to prevent the natural extinction of the populace of Calican II you are quite correct in that their species will evolve differently on many, many levels, there is no way to avoid that in this situation, because the fact is it shouldn't survive or evolve, as the comet should make their species extinct."

He paused and took a breath, he could feel his skin starting to prickle, as his emotional state started to unbalance.

"There is no magic science wand that can be waved to make things right, to justify the why, and to prevent objects being acted on by an outside force, only personnal belief and justification in doing the right thing."

He paused Here we go

"As for the Captain, we shall have to see. I don't know about you, but this is all to neat for me. This ship and crew undergo a horrific ordeal, but just happened to be refitted and staffed and the first mission they are sent on just happens to be in a system with a life ending comet roaring through it. I mean if the Calicans know it's coming then Star Fleet must have known about this long before that, with the mining operations going on in this system and all the shipping, that comet must have affected it all in some form as it entered. This is a test of the Captain, I imagine there is a group of Officials sat near buy watching this play out to see if he/ we are capable of maintaining the PD or are we going to break it once and possible be prone to dive into every situation we find breaking the PD to keep the Demons at bay. Honestly, I feel this ship and crew will not get past any post incident inquest, they are waiting to pin something down."

His hands where trembling now in his lap, Steady Esel Steady

"The cost you need to weigh up, is whether saving an entire species for good or for ill, knowing that as a species they will never know what you did or how you were involved, worth your life and career within Star Fleet?"

He stood up abruptly, and started to pace, trying to control his rising emotions. 

"I mean I hope I am wrong, but a lifetime of Military service can Jade a person when it comes to the unseen manichaions of those who weild the power above, and of course saving life is a most noble goal for any Sentiant race, its a long hard journey to the stars, why should we then spend that time fighting instead of exploring and learning, thats why I transfered to Star Fleet but to see that sundered and cast aside just because some high rank suit at the blunt end, wants to dilly over some black and white text and make examples of those who serve at the multi faceted, non liner end, who are just trying to to keep things 'right' for everyone."

Spinning around Esel suddenly slams his open palms onto the table top in frustration.

"But .....I also understand the need for rules, guidlines, protacols and those to enforce such within the system to prevent rogue strands from upsetting that balance, life is frail and delicate you just cant go messing and interfering as you see fit. All actions need to be delibrate, considered and transparant."

He returned to his seat opposite the COO, and let out a slow breath, reaching across the table for a napkin he slowly wiped up the spilled drinks.

"Apologies for upsetting your breakfast Lieutenant, I get agitated when those who where not there, inform you of what you should have done while you where there living it."

Stardate 2365.05.16 (Sunday) - Impact minus 55:36

USS Peregrine, Deck 3, Mess Hall - 09:57

"The moment the Captain made the decision to involve us into the plight of Calican II we plunged headfirst off the lofty cliff of 'No Interference'." Esel replied calmly. "There is no getting away from that, no matter the justification. Should we be successful in this venture and manage to prevent the natural extinction of the populace of Calican II you are quite correct in that their species will evolve differently on many, many levels, there is no way to avoid that in this situation, because the fact is, it shouldn't survive or evolve, as the comet should make their species extinct."

The CSO pauses and draws in a breath. Ander cants his head to the left a little at the apparent growing agitation. He has read that Andorians are prone to show anger as their predominant emotion, but he's had little opportunity to test that knowledge. For a moment, his mind wanders into territory that would require him to step outside of his comfort zone and get physical with the science officer. Blinking the pervasive thoughts away, he refocuses on what the other officer is saying. 

"There is no magic science wand that can be waved to make things right," Esel states, "to justify the why, and to prevent objects being acted on by an outside force, only personnal belief and justification in doing the right thing."

He pauses and Ander deposits another bite of egg into his mouth.

"As for the Captain," the CSO forces out, "we shall have to see. I don't know about you, but this is all to neat for me. This ship and crew undergo a horrific ordeal, but just happened to be refitted and staffed and the first mission they are sent on just happens to be in a system with a life ending comet roaring through it. I mean if the Calicans know it's coming then Star Fleet must have known about this long before that, with the mining operations going on in this system and all the shipping, that comet must have affected it all in some form as it entered. This is a test of the Captain, I imagine there is a group of Officials sat near buy watching this play out to see if he/ we are capable of maintaining the PD or are we going to break it once and possible be prone to dive into every situation we find breaking the PD to keep the Demons at bay. Honestly, I feel this ship and crew will not get past any post incident inquest, they are waiting to pin something down."

The Andorian is obviously agitated and Ander can understand why. As this is his first post under the pips on his collar, he's unsure of what to expect and the thoughts that have now been shared with him haven't crossed his mind at all. 

"The cost you need to weigh up," Esel continues, "is whether saving an entire species for good or for ill, knowing that as a species they will never know what you did or how you were involved, worth your life and career within Star Fleet?"

He stands up abruptly and starts to pace his rising emotions very apparent to any who are about, certainly to the COO who sits back in his chair, fork still in hand, and watches for the pending explosion with raised eyebrows and slightly widened eyes. 

"I mean I hope I am wrong," came the scientist's continued thoughts, "but a lifetime of Military service can jade a person when it comes to the unseen manichaions of those who weild the power above, and of course saving life is a most noble goal for any sentient race, its a long hard journey to the stars, why should we then spend that time fighting instead of exploring and learning, thats why I transfered to Star Fleet but to see that sundered and cast aside just because some high rank suit at the blunt end, wants to dilly over some black and white text and make examples of those who serve at the multi faceted, non-linear end, who are just trying to to keep things 'right' for everyone."

Spinning around Esel suddenly slams his open palms onto the tabletop in frustration causing the superior officer to start in his seat and drop the fork on his plate. Clenching his now empty hand into a fist, Ander does his best to regain his exterior composure while glancing around the room to gauge the reactions of any others who are present.

"But," Esel begins to talk himself down, "I also understand the need for rules, guidlines, protacols and those to enforce such within the system to prevent rogue strands from upsetting that balance, life is frail and delicate you just cant go messing and interfering as you see fit. All actions need to be delibrate, considered and transparant."

The Andorian returns to his seat opposite the COO, and lets out a slow breath. Reaching across the table for a napkin he slowly wipes up the spilled drinks.

"Apologies for upsetting your breakfast Lieutenant," he offers. "I get agitated when those who where not there, inform you of what you should have done while you where there living it."

Ander's lips form a pinched point and he realizes that his eyebrows are still elevated. Relaxing his face, the Chief Operations Officer shifts in his chair and retrieves his fork. "Well, I can't say that I blame you. If you feel so strongly about these orders, Esel, maybe you should schedule a meeting with the Captain. Needless to say, he's an astute man or he wouldn't have survived in the position he's in for as long as he has. He's going to catch on."

Stardate 2365.05.16 

Shuttle Bay 2 - Aurora Angel - 1345

The ship was quiet, too quiet, Tochi thought. He tugged at the collar of his uniform to relieve the pressure around his neck. As he made his way down the corridor his footsteps echoed down the hall, each reverberation of sound shoved the metal spike of reality deeper into his skull. The weight of the decision he was in the process of making worked to finish driving that spike down into the base of his brain. 

Sacrifice. He’d looked up the definition of the word back in his office. It sang through his thoughts: An act of giving up something valued for the sake of something else regarded as more important or worthy.

Valued. So much had already been given up, in the name of something more important or worthy. Who made those distinctions? 

His hand ran across the nape of his neck, trying unsuccessfully to ease out the tension. His fingers dug into his spots, and he couldn’t help but to think of Asovil’s face. Her sacrifice still hurt, it burned down into him. A loss of not just a beautiful, talented woman who was full of compassion and grace, but also the loss of something that could have been. Was it worth it? Was he more important than she’d been? 

When he reached the Cargo Bay doors he paused before punching in the access code to open it. What lay beyond wasn’t something he really wanted to see just then. And yet, yet it seemed important to go. Last time he didn’t have the opportunity to say goodbye. Things had happened so quickly. He’d lost his friend and Asovil, without saying a word to either of them. 

What would I have said, though? What could I have said? Would taking her into my arms and finally taking that kiss I had so longed for made it any easier in the end? He frowned and stepped into the cargo bay. The overhead lights were dimmed at this hour, and the ship glowed in the light. 

She was gorgeous. Haunted but gorgeous. “Hey there.” He said somberly. 

The ship responded with a shriek and a clanging noise that made him jump right out of his skin. There was another loud clang and a half-sob shriek that came from deep within the ship. His thoughts ran out of his head and he darted toward the ship, running through the open back doors and into the belly of the Aurora. 

Crumbled on the metal flooring was Commander Kennedy. The bulkhead near her was battered and dented, and a wrench was cast aside in the space between them. Her strained wails were subsiding into tortured sobs as she slammed her fists against the floor. The sight of her lost in her emotions like this wasn’t something Tochi was quite prepared for and the surprise of it stopped him in his tracks for a moment. “Kennedy,” he prodded softly as he forced a tentative step toward her, his expression a comingling of concern and confusion, “Are you alright?”

Kennedy shot back up into a seated position at his voice. “Oh… Gracious me…” trembling still she started to scramble to her feet, eyes flashing between him and the battered bulkhead. “Sir. I’m sorry, so very sorry. I’m…” she scrubbed her fist under her eyes to wipe at the tears staining them. “Sir…” the words failed her. 

His gaze ticked from where she dragged a trembling hand across her cheek to the fresh dents in the wall and back. “We’ve told you before… Calli,” he chanced her first name as he took another step toward her, “Here, just as in the Aerie, there is no ‘Sir.’ No ‘Commander.’ Just Tochi, alright?” He reached across the space that remained between them and took her shaking hand in one of his in hopes of easing the tremors. “Tell me what’s wrong,” he offered a conciliatory smile as his eyes sought hers, “We know those conduits have been driving you crazy, but I didn’t think they were worth all of this, hm?”

Kennedy looked down at his hand wrapped around hers and she pulled it back, tucking it into her chest. “Wrong? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.” She snapped, taking in a deep breath and bringing herself back under control again before his eyes. “I’ll fix the bulkhead… as soon as the replicators start working again.” She frowned with a heavy sigh at the terrible attempt at a joke. Then she took a step forward to collect the wrench from the ground. 

His lips drew into a tight line and he lifted the fingertips of the abandoned hand to run across a stubbled cheek. Too informal, Tochi, he sighed to himself as the iron curtain behind which the CEO typically hid her emotions came crashing down around her, Well done. Behind his fingers, he forced the corners of his mouth upward into something akin to an amused smile in answer to her joke about the replicators and let his hand fall away. “No hurry, where that’s concerned, Commander,” he offered, clasping his hands behind his back in order to keep himself from trying to take hers, again, “There are other, more pressing matters to consider beyond a few dents…” The hint of a sigh breezed out of him, then, and his eyes seemed to flit almost nostalgically around the space for an instant. When his gaze found its way back to her, his smile had gone from mildly amused to empathetic… “If we were to guess,” he said, “I’d imagine that’s what has you so upset, now? That you haven’t come up with a solution to the Calican problem, as yet?”

She bit her lip before she frowned, rising up with the wrench clenched tightly in her hand. “No. Seven billion people out there, and… and I know there’s a way to save them. I know it. I can’t find it. It’s what I do, I solve problems. I can’t find it. I lied to my Captain. I think I’ve had three conversations with him and I lied to him. I broke the bulkhead. I broke my little plant. Zai, I’m sorry. I’ll fix the bulkhead, I will. You aren’t a therapist…” She tightened her grip on the wrench but the look on her face remained stoney. 

“No. Not a therapist,” he agreed, his shoulders lifting in the semblance of a shrug, “But a friend, perhaps? Sometimes just as effective, we understand.” He leaned against the battered bulkhead, unclasped his hands, and lifted a finger to probe one of the divots she’d beaten into the metal. “Supposing, Calli,” he offered after a moment’s introspection, his eyes still fixed on the dent in which his fingertip lingered, “that we were to tell you that you may very well be standing in the answer to the riddle of saving those lives and that, if it works the way I imagine it might, repairing this bulkhead will be a moot point?”

Her eyes followed his fingertips along the battered wall, his words slowly seeping into her thoughts. “The Angel?” Gears began to spin through her mind, the teeth catching one by one as they moved and gained in strength and speed. “No. The Angel… no. Yes.” He didn’t need to give her the full explanation, she understood what he meant almost at once. “****!” She cried out again, raising the wrench and slamming it against the opposite bulkhead to the one she’d assaulted earlier. 

Zai flinched a little at the harsh clanging of the wrench against the wall and his finger fell from the divot as his eyes flitted back to Kennedy. “She’s not a Federation asset,” he said from behind a wan smile, nodding his silent affirmation to the thoughts that he was sure were chasing through her head just now, “and her warp core is large enough that, if we were to force a breach along the asteroid’s trajectory, the explosion might be enough to have the desired effect…” He folded his arms across his chest and lifted a questioning brow in her direction, almost as if he were seeking her approval for even thinking of sacrificing the little ship…”It’s not ideal, we know,” he sighed again, “but, given the time constraints and all of the other options we’ve explored and been forced to discard, we… I think it’s our best shot.”

While he spoke she kept her eyes down, daring the tears forming in them to stay put. When he finished her knuckles turned white as they gripped the wrench, but before she could do anything worse with it she flung it away, letting it somersault down the small passage that lead to the bridge of the ship. “It’s a good plan…” she gritted between her teeth. “I should have thought of it.” Cold pained eyes lifted up and looked into his a moment, “It’s a good plan,” she repeated, every muscle in her body pulled into tight cords. 

Pushing away from the wall, Tochi offered a curt nod and a faint shrug before turning toward the bridge hatch. “Lt Reid planted the seed for it,” he offered, wandering a few steps along the corridor before stooping to retrieve the wrench she’d flung, “As I said, not ideal for the Angel by any means, but certainly a decent chance for the people of Calican.” As he rose back to his full height, he stretched out his empty hand to cue the doorway to the bridge open and glanced back over his shoulder; “What’s a few tons of plasteel and a few years of work as compared to seven billion lives, right?”

Swallowing hard she gave a nod. “No, the choice is easy.” Even as she said it though she reached out and caressed a seam, fingers moving down the line toward where a control panel was set into the wall, like a lover might. “Rivets, wires, induction panels… not alive,” her voice sounded haunted, though. “It’s the right thing, of course.” At the control panel, though, her fist coiled back up and her knuckles turned white at the very thought. 

There’s more life in her than there has been in a while, Tochi mused, stepping onto the bridge and letting his green-gold eyes pan over the stations for a moment, Thanks in large part to you, California Eugene Kennedy. He strolled almost languidly across the deck toward the CONN, his cold fingertips tracing along every curve and across every surface they could reach as he went. “Erik’s life… his spirit, is in this ship,” he murmured without looking back at her, “Asovil’s, too, in some fashion…” Reaching the pilot’s seat, he sat the wrench aside on one wing of the console and rested his hands and chin on the back of the vaguely egg-shaped chrome of the chair… “and Meg’s… and now yours,” his voice was scarcely more than a whisper, “It will be difficult to let all of that go with her.” He chuckled and shrugged again, finally turning to set his eyes on the CEO once more; “That’s assuming, of course, that Silas finds merit in the idea.”

When he turned he found that Callie had followed him quietly into the Bridge. Her fist was resting against one of the consols as she looked back at him. “He will. It’s the only real option. You’re right, though, it will be difficult. I don’t even have the same attachments that you do, but… she’s more than just a hunk of metal. I felt it the first time I saw her.” She took a breath and peeled her eyes from his to look across the graceful curves of the bridge once more. “I needed her, in my own way. On this ship, she’s all that was bringing me joy…” she admitted at last. 

He sank into the seat and offered up a warm, knowing smile. “I’ve noticed,” he said with a slow nod, “which is why I was hoping that, when this is all over and we can find the time, you might consider lending your expertise in building her replacement.”

“If the Captain doesn’t transfer me off the ship for lying to him…” she commented dryly. 

“If we know Silas, at all, that’s not something you need to worry about,” Tochi grinned, languishing in the cradle of the seats upholstery, “He knew you were lying the moment you opened your mouth. More importantly, he knew why. If he were inclined to call you on such a transgression, trust us, he would have done so already.” Another shrug was offered and a vaguely mischievous glimmer flashed in his eyes as he turned the seat toward the console. “Besides, if he were to do that, we might request a transfer of our own and follow where you went. Who knows?” His fingers danced across the console and the analog FCS began to unfurl itself from the various panels. “At least we’ll finally get a chance to pilot her before we call it done, hm?”

Lights from the screens danced across her features, and her brow knitted up a little at his comment about following her, but she let it go. “Owen’s the one who is itching to fly her. I just want to hear that engine purring like a kitten…” She sighed a little. “It hurts, but it’s good. All those lives, it’s worth it. Lord, I hated thinking that I couldn’t save them.” 

“Megan’s sat at these controls more than I have already,” Zai smirked, reaching out to set fingers dancing across the crescent shaped arc of the CONN. The Angel’s engines hummed to life, sending a low vibration running through the deck plating. “I think we deserve to have this last one to myself…” He flicked a glance over his shoulder at her; “Think you can make new engines that purr sweeter than that, Eugene?”

“Sir, you won’t even hear them…” She gave him a small wry smile. “She’ll be almost silent if you let me build her.”

“Let you? I’m afraid we must insist, Sir,” he grinned as his hand settled on the controls, “After you and I walk through what we might need to do to make this plan work, of course.”

“Well if it’s an order Sir.” She gave him a light bob of her head and that smile grew on her face. “I guess we have work to get to then.” And while there was still a sadness to her eyes there was a determined confidence back in her voice.

“If an order is what it takes, Commander Kennedy,” he offered with a wink, “consider it given.” 

He tapped his commbadge then; “Zai to Captain Drake…” ((Assuming acknowledgement of the hail)) “...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.”

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."  

Stardate 2365.05.16 - Impact minus 51:40

USS Peregrine; Shuttle Bay 2 - 13:54

=/\=Commander Zai, I will cancel my racquetball plans for you immediately,=/\= came the Captain’s sarcastic rejoinder, =/\=I await you in the Ready Room.=/\=

“Aye, sir,” Tochi returned, turning his gaze to where Kennedy leaned against the Angel’s engineering station, “I’m on my way.”

"Need a wing man or you think it's best if you talk with him alone?" She asked, that cool demeanor she was known for sliding back into place. 

“It may be best if we go alone,” the Trill answered, sliding from the pilot’s chair and pacing toward the hatch, “The proposal I’m going to set before him will undoubtedly not be taken without some bluster, I’m afraid…”

 From the moment that utilizing the Angel to divert the asteroid had been suggested to him, Tochi knew that the solution would be as simple as it sounded. Despite the little ship not technically being a Federation asset, there would be issues as to Starfleet personnel being involved in piloting the craft and the like, he was certain - especially if Admiral Harding was allowed to pick her nits from the particulars. To that end, where it came to selling Silas on the idea at any rate, Tochi had determined that there was only one way to keep the Captain and crew of the Peregrine from culpability in the matter and, he was sure, it was that determination at which Drake would balk the most.

“...You can play wingman,” Tochi suggested with a backward glance at the CEO as he strode through the hatch, “by making sure that the Angel’s warp core is primed for maximum yield and calibrating the FCS, if you like. I believe precision will be crucial where all of this is concerned.” He flicked the woman a wink and offered a humorless grin before disappearing down the corridor.

“I better not hear doubt in your voice, Commander!” She shouted after him with a bit of mirth. “She’ll be ready.”

Deck 1; Captain’s Ready Room - 13:59

Minutes later, Tochi Zai swept across the Peregrine’s bridge, all but ignoring the eyes that turned his way. The thoughts of what he was about to do - the ramifications of it - hung about him like a cloud and by the time he had reached the door to the Ready Room that cloud had become so thick that he wasn’t quite able to see past it. This is the only way, he reminded himself as he cued the chime to request admittance to Drake’s office, The only way to spare Calican from destruction and not have a wave of courts martial befalling the crew as a result.

“Come,” Drake acknowledged the chime

Tochi gave a determined tug at the hem of his jacket and then, with a scarcely muffled sigh, lifted one hand to pluck the pips from his collar before the hatch whisked away before him. “Good afternoon, Captain,” he said as he stepped into the Ready Room, his eyes making their usual circuit of the model ships displayed about the place before framing Silas.

((Assuming a greeting in return and a query as to the Trill’s proposed solution, here… ))

“Yes sir,” Tochi answered, his hands clasped behind his back and a thumb brushing over the pips secreted in his palm as a tight smile worked across his lips, “a viable solution to this Calican dilemma has presented itself. Unfortunately, it only narrowly skirts a violation of the Prime Directive and as such, the less you or any of the crew know about the details of it the better. To that end, sir…” his hands came out from behind his back and his pips were deposited on the front edge of Silas’ desk, “...I hereby resign my commission and my position as Executive Officer of the Peregrine. As soon as the Aurora Angel is prepped and ready, we’ll be taking our leave. It has been our pleasure to serve under your command, Silas, and to call you a friend.”