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Cptn Corizon
STSF GM-
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Posts posted by Cptn Corizon
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Mission Brief: The Onion and Company have been captured, meanwhile the ship is thinking up ways to blow stuff up.
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Attached are the several chatlogs.
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Captain's Log
Supplemental Entry
I’ve found myself staring into a minefield, literally, and once again facing a difficult decision.
In the course of making friendly with locals, I agreed to use our fighter squadron to help bolster local patrols while we’re in the sector, as pirates have become a bit of a problem, according to the HaVorante government.
A few hours ago, one of those patrols failed to report in as scheduled. We managed to track them down a nebula filled with mines. Of course all of that is in the mission log, but I feel the need to restate it, because it’s relevant to my current dilemma—we’ve had no luck finding a way through the minefield.
My XO, Commander Kitty, has made it fairly clearly to me that we should leave them if we can’t find away to safely find them, and I don’t disagree with the assessment that we can’t risk more lives on our ship, however I am concerned about losing an entire squadron of fighters this early in our mission.
What I am more curious about is who mined the nebula and why no one else has bothered to note it on the charts. They don’t appear to be Dominion mines, which tend to be phased out of normal space, like the Houdini Mines. Which is a positive, the negative is that in all likelihood there’s a group of pirates waiting to pounce on us, or already pouncing our fighter squadron.
How we get ourselves into these messes, I am not quite sure…
Oh bloody hell; the causality report is starting to come in. No fatalities yet, but still days like today are days I wish I would have stayed on the Oberon cataloging gaseous anomalies.
I suppose I should return to the bridge and check up on our efforts to defeat the minefield. I am going to give Science/Engineering a while longer…
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Captain's Log,
Supplemental
As noted in my duty log, we met with the HaVorante administrator this morning and into this afternoon. I have to admit it was an...enlightening experience, especially for Lexin.
Kallax, the administrator filled us in on a good 10,000 years of ancient history. Apparently, after the Scorpiads destroyed the Founder homeworld, they retreated into this area of space and scattered into a diaspora. One of them found their way to this world while being hunted by what I can only assume to be the Al-Ucard.
Apparently the HaVorante native hid the Founder and saved his life. As a reward the Founder promised to grant the HaVorante a place in their new empire, and thus came the Vorta. However, the Founders didn't, as previously believed, transform the entire HaVorante race into Vorta, but simply use their genetic code as a blueprint.
The HaVorante are what the Vorta of today would be like, had the Dominion not “improved upon their genetic code.”
I worried at first that this would complicate our mission, but then I started wondering why the Dominion would send us here in the first place. Then Kallax made it more clear: the Founders took up residence on this planet for sometime while they set about creating the Dominion. According to Kallax there were dozens of “holy sites” that could be of use to us in locating the device which we seek.
Lexin believes that the device itself isn't on this planet, but that coordinates to where the Founders went next after leaving this planet are somewhere here. When pressed, he explained that the Founders had moved homeworlds several dozen times. And that Taenix had told him that the first “homeworld” they'd established when they began their war against the Scorpiads was somewhere in the region we're in now, but that even she had not be told of it's location.
I am going to have my teams start scouring these holy sites looking for anything that might give us a clue.
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If there was such a thing as a cold morning on a starship, this was it; like a day when the the sun never peaks out from behind the clouds, and the world seems to be bitterly cold and damp. The alarm went off and I looked over at the chrono next to me. It couldn't already be time for morning shift, could it? It was.
Slinking out of bed, my head felt heavy and my body seemed determined to rebel against my will, and I walked towards the bathroom with great effort. I'll say one thing for this new ship, the floors aren't as cold on my barefeet.
I ignored the bottles on the table and pushed a chair out of the way to get to the replicator, still draped in my towel.
“Coffee,” I demanded.
At this point, I'd been doing my best to keep my eyes closed. The lighting was still on sleep setting, but even then it annoyed me, the bright flashing of the replicator wasn't so hot either. Finally I opened my eyes to get dressed. It was going to be a long day. Why in the hell did I ever agree to this little venture?
The Vorta is getting...antsy. Not that I blame him, he's been couped up in his quarters the whole time with little more than a few status updates I've had sent his way as a courtesy. I suppose I should invite him to the officers mess and actually get to know him...he can't be anymore annoying than Semil, and certainly couldn't be as righteous as Weyoun or Keevan...could he?
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The USS Excalibur-C Simulation will run Sunday, Dec. 23 2007 as scheduled, however all absences will be excused.
Everyone have a wonderful holiday season.
::Goes back to his solstice party::
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In one of my 300-level and again in a 400-level as part of our final we were required to find a job and fill out the application, resume and yadda-yadda for it and turn it in. I found it really helpful...not that helps you any lol
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MISSION BRIEF: The day has arrived, and the final orders have been cut for the launch of the USS Excalibur, NCC-2004-C. The Excalibur crew have assembled on the ship as the launch ceremony is getting underway. On the drydock facility, they are t-minus 5 minutes from chucking the bottle at the Excalibur. The crew, meanwhile, is finishing last min checks. Crew have been ordered to duty stations for the launch.
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Mission "Brief": Four months have passed since the Excalibur-B was decommissioned and the entire former crew of the Excalibur-B found themselves strung across the Federation in new roles. But a few weeks prior to tonight sim, most of them received new orders that, though vague, have required them to report to Antares Shipyard. Rumors are circulating that a meeting to be held at 1500 in the main observation lounge of Antares Shipyard Base will hold some clue as to their reason for being there. We open with with everyone gathered in the Ob Lounge on Antares. The time is approx. 1445.Four months have passed since the Excalibur-B was decommissioned and the entire former crew of the Excalibur-B found themselves strung across the Federation in new roles. But a few weeks prior to tonight sim, most of them received new orders that, though vague, have required them to report to Antares Shipyard. Rumors are circulating that a meeting to be held at 1500 in the main observation lounge of Antares Shipyard Base will hold some clue as to their reason for being there. We open with with everyone gathered in the Ob Lounge on Antares. The time is approx. 1445.
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MISSION BRIEF>Excalibur has been recalled to Earth, and the crew thrown a "Welcome Back luncheon." Corizon, meanwhile met with various members of the admiralty and Federation Council. He has called for an assembly of all Excalibur crew in (what's left of) the main Shuttle bay.
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Mission Brief :Having made essential repairs to the ship (in effect we patched up just enough holes and systems that we wouldn't explode), the Excalibur made way for Earth for debriefing. As we pick up, nearly three weeks have passed since our last game, and the Excalibur is about an hour away from Earth.
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MISSION BRIEF: The Excalibur has regained their lost Onion, and are now working on getting back Spots, Dox and Kittah. The ISS Excalibur though has taken an interest in the cloaked ship though, and Mirror Ramson and Sorehl are still concerned about the possibility of the wormhole being exposed. In addition, Colonel Kimura and Inspector Vaos are preparing to raid the Romulan Base.
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MISSION BRIEF: The Excalibur has recovered 1/4 members of the AT, Corizon would like the other three back. Science/Engineering continue to work on getting us home. The ISS Excalibur is starting to troll.
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::gags at Kitty love:: :D
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The box on his desk was opened. The red book laid face down against the glass. A silver dagger laid next to it, shimmering even in the darkness, it's cold reflective surface undimmed. A glass of amber colored liquor lay unattended.
Of all the things he'd done in his life, all of things he'd experienced, none haunted him so...vividly.
At some point, a certain disconnect was supposed to happen in his line of work, letting you go about your life with some form of normality. Something though. Something deep in his consciousness had kept that from happening.
It was as if the memory had never faded like so many others, like it had happened just the day before. The inner recesses of his mind ached in the pains of memories. Memories he'd long wished to forget.
The experience was so utterly visceral.
Stardate 7403.25
The first subjects arrived today. I have to admit, I was taken aback by their...I am not sure there's a word to describe it, not in any tongue I know. They all looked so helpless, so pathetic. It took me a few minutes to remind myself that I was not one of them, and that they neither deserved my empathy or my pity, they were, after all, the enemy.
Trials will begin on the subjects sometime this week, after we've had a chance to properly inspect the new arrivals. I have to admit, learning their physiology in great detail will prove a boon to our work, even if the cost in lives has been higher than we originally expected.
Stardate 7403.29
We've finally completed processing the new arrivals. I have to say they're actually the lucky ones, compared to the rest of their people. We feed them, give them proper medical care. I've begun to wonder why they hate us so much.
You can tell right away that they do hate us though. The way they look at us, the way they sneer in their smug superiority, confident in their place in whatever afterlife they've been trained to believe in.
Stardate 7405.18
It's been almost a month since this latest batch arrived, and the survival rate has not been nearly as high as predicted, whether or not that is actually a good thing remains to be seen.
I can't say I am sorry that they're dead though. The way they look at you every morning as they're brought in for inspection, the way glare in silent hatred; it makes me wish a slow and painful death on them all, and makes me smile to realize I am the exact instrument of their death.
Some promising work has been yielded at their expense, and I was pleased to report to central of it, and they were most pleased in my progress. I think I'll celebrate tonight, perhaps a drink and good book before bed? That would be a welcome change from reading autopsy reports all evening.
Stardate 7407.06
I've found myself hating them more and more with each passing day and month. At first I hated them because they were so utterly pathetic, helpless, and unclean. So different from me, and yet so...full of hate. They hated me for what I did to them, and I hated them for being different, for being pathetic excuses for life.
Now I hate them for something far more insidious. I hate them because though they hold the secrets I desire, they keep them from me.
They bring this torture on themselves. If only they would reveal to me what I wish to know. The secret their DNA holds.
Stardate 7407.16
We picked up the pace of our testing. Central is pressuring me more now for results. I didn't know what to tell them. They asked me if more subjects would help...I told them no. Secretly I desired to tell them yes, to kill as many of them as I could, but then I thought about having to see more of them every day. Their pathetic faces, their glaring eyes...it made me ill.
Stardate 7407.16
Several subjects have begun to show promise now. I am beginning to think my work is actually going somewhere now. Perhaps, in a few decades what I've done here will finally be known and recognized for what it is.
I am saving these people. Saving them from themselves.
Stardate 7408.26
The problem with viral agents isn't, as one might think, finding something that will kill a target species. That's actually the easiest part of the whole process. No, no...the hardest thing is to find an agent that will spread quickly enough to kill as many people as possible without being detected.
You hurdle is to find something that can be easily spread, is deadly enough to kill, and can't be detected until it's to late to do anything about it. In the past, we've found such agents and they've been useful, a way to end war without even firing a bullet.
Stardate 7409.15
There was an accident in the lab today. Months of research was simply lost, destroyed by fire. Almost the entire complex was lost...
They tell me I'm being transferred to another facility to begin work on a new project. I can't say I am unhappy...at least I'll never have to look at their faces anytime soon, not where I am going anyway.
He looked down at his hands, for the briefest of moments, he saw, there on his skin, boils and lesions like his subjects had once had. It was...startling.
Pulling back, he looked into the glass in front of him...instead of the image he normally saw, a silver-haired man in a Starfleet Uniform, he saw a man in dark clothing, with black hair...and a spoon upon his head.
The images from the diary came flooding back. Instead of bad nostalgia, it was a full on attack. He fell to the floor in anguish and pain, trying to scream but nothing came out. He laid, screaming but not screaming, gripped in fear as if he were no longer in control of his body, for what seemed like hours, languishing in agony. Finally succumbing, he blacked out.
“You had quite the nightmare, didn't you?”
Opening his eyes, a haze formed briefly obscuring his view. Where was he?
“Commander,” the haze began to give way to the dark, bleakness of an antiseptically cold room. The voice was familiar but he didn’t quite recognize it yet. “I am glad to see you’re finally awake.”
Reflexively wiping at his eyes the haze cleared more and he looked towards the only source of light in the room. Sitting across from him was a solitary Cardassian figure.
“Who the hell are you?”
“I am Gul Mahet,” the Cardassian said, his officious tone dripping with the same disdain he'd just felt. “But, if you earn it, you may simply call me Mahet.”
“Screw you.”
“Such anger...but then...our tests reveled that.”
“Your...your tests?” Corizon glared in silent rage. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“All in good time, Commander...All in good time...”
He woke in a cold sweat, a piled heap in the still, new floor of the Excalibur-C. The memories were so close to the surface it hurt, but were fading now. Slightly disoriented he tried to stand, only to fall to the ground once more.
Resolving himself to not give into the inner turmoil still raging inside his brain, he forced himself to stand and look at his reflection in the windows. He closed his eyes and opened them. He saw only himself...for now.
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The lights were low in his temporary quarters on the Antares Prime Station. Something was...different. A scent he vaguely recognized hung low in the air. His eyes, which unlike humans, were exceptional in low light, and they searched the room quickly.
A slight movement on the edge of his peripheral vision. Bam. He extended his claws put himself into a ready position.
“Damn, Checkers,” said a voice directly beside him and to his right, just within his reach. “You really are as paranoid as they told me you'd be.”
Relaxing, Corizon turned to face the voice. “Old habits...”
Corizon found himself staring at a 20-something human male dressed in all back, holding a phaser riffle in his hands, it was pointed at Corizon. “Something tells me you didn't bring that to shoot me.”
“Back up,” the 'kid' said, “Never can be to careful with you old folks.”
“I am not that old,” Corizon said in a huff.
“To you.”
“Point taken,” Corizon said sitting down on the modest couch. “Now why are you here?”
“Munich sent me,” the younger man said approaching Corizon, and lowering his weapon. “They figured it'd been long enough to bring you back in.”
“I was wondering how long it would be before they sent someone.”
“They told me to apologize to you for...using you, they said...”
“I'd understand?”
“...That was exactly it.”
Corizon rolled his eyes. “So why else did they send you?”
“To give you this,” the other man said, handing Corizon an isochip. “You still remember what to do?”
Closing his eyes, “Yep.”
“Cool!”
“Get it over with.”
The next thing Corizon felt was the twitching of his muscles as the phaser riffle the young ATAG operative held went up quickly and shot him in the chest, stunning him. It seemed like the longest sleep ever, but it was only half-an-hour later when he woke up with the hang-over from hell, and isochip laying a few feet from him.
Why they had to continue to maintain the silly rule about shooting each other...he shook his head as he got rid of the cobwebs and threw the isochip in the bag he'd already started packing for the move to Excalibur.
T-minus two days till launch, and he was finally ready to move onto the ship.
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Excalibur Bridge
The bridge of the new USS Excalibur is a complete redesign of the Akira class control center to coincide with the new variant. In reflection of its new, multi-mission emphasis, the Excalibur's bridge has been expanded to incorporate more stations with variable uses, as well as providing more space for the standard duty stations. All in all, the new design should lend to a more productive and enjoyable experience for bridge personnel.
The most desired position in all of Starfleet has a new look, and location. Rather than being sunk into the bridge as in most recent bridge designs, the CO will now have a bird's-eye view of the entire control center. Elevated a half meter above the outer ring and 1.5 meters above the helm, this "perch" will allow the Captain to monitor the proceedings at every station without obstruction. The Captain's Chair (CC) itself can swivel 360°, so that even the MSD can be seen. The major reason for this, though, is the newest feature, and a Starfleet first.
Due to the success of the EMH program and the necessity of installing holoprojectors in key areas, bridges are now able to fully use holograms. Of course, one can't program the bridge to be a vacation spot, as this would violate many regulations. Now, however, thanks to new imaging technology and specially placed sensors, the bridge can provide a 360° view of surrounding space. Following the level of the floor, this holo-view will extend outside of the center railing and will allow those inside the ability to see the space around them as has only been possible in holodecks and stellar cartography labs. The uses of this, from advanced tactical views to providing the bridge crew with the opportunity to see the phenomena they are exploring will truly give those personnel the best data possible.
Other staples of the starship bridge have changed as well. The main viewer is now entirely holographic, and can be resized based on the needs of the mission. Within the center ring, the crew of the USS Excalibur will find two fully rotatable platforms. The Executive Officer's Platform to starboard as well as the new Auxilliary Tactical Platform can both rotate through 360°, allowing the best use of the new half-sphere holo-view. Dual in-service turbolifts will provide quick access to and from the bridge from either side of the catamaran hull, The high spherical dome over the bridge allows the holo-view full room to work, as well as providing the bridge with a much more open feel. The outer ring stations are equipped with much more console space and full wall screens to provide those duty officers the best possible data for their mission.
All of this functionality should not rule out style, however, and the designers of the new bridge have taken this into account. All throughout the bridge, you will find the shine of steel to reflect the ship's namesake. The brushed duranium walls provide excellent acoustics as well as providing scientifically designed "easy-on-the-eyes" reflectivity. The deep charcoal carpeting is inlayed with strips of burgundy along the walls and railings, and it's durable and cushioned installation will ensure that even stand-up operations at the auxilliary consoles do not become tiring. Those fortunate enough to have seats will sit in adjustable chairs with proper lumbar support, and even Orion officers could not complain about the deep burgundy synth-leather. The center area is a circle to reflect on the Round Table of the Excalibur legends, and is made with genuine Amboya Burl hand-rail and complimentary steel balustrade.
As one looks over at the platinum engraved dedication plaque near the ready room entrance, one can look down to see inlayed carpet in the shape of the legendary sword in the exact center of the bridge forward of the CC. Besides providing an aesthetic boost for the space, it can also stand as a reminder of the purpose behind the weapon, and stand guard over the crew of the new USS Excalibur NCC-2004-C.
Top View
Color Swatch
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CREW QUARTERS SYSTEMS
Enlisted, Flight, Marine, and Crew Quarters: Standard Living Quarters are provided for both Starfleet Non-Commissioned Officers, Marines, Flight Crew and Ensigns. These persons are expected to share their room with other crewmates due to space restrictions aboard the starship.
Crewmembers share quarters with up to 4 others. Accommodations include 1 bedrooms with four bunks, two to a set, with a small work/commons area.
A communal ultrasonic shower/head room is located off of each barrack, and is shared by three other barracks. A food replicator and a personal holographic viewer are located in the living area. Pets are not allowed to crew in these sections..
Officers' Quarters: Starfleet personnel from the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade up to Commander are given one set of quarters to themselves. In addition, department heads and their assistants are granted such privileges as well, in an effort to provide a private environment to perform off-duty work.
These accommodations typically include a small bathroom, a bedroom (with standard bed), a living/work area, a food replicator, an ultrasonic shower, personal holographic viewer, and provisions for pets, depending on the Commanding officer's policy.
There are three sizes of Officer's Quarters: Junior (Smallest), Senior (Large), and finally Family (Largest). However, because of the Akira's primary mission, few families are stationed aboard and there are very few of the family size, which have a slightly different configuration from the other two.
Executive Quarters: The Captain and Executive Officer of the vessel both have special quarters, located near the bridge. They are located on a higher deck because these two people must be closer to the bridge in the event of an Alert situation.
These quarters are much more luxurious than any others on the ship, with the exception of the VIP/Diplomatic Guest quarters. Both the Executive Officer's and the Captain's quarters are larger than standard Officer's Quarters, and this space generally has the following accommodations: a bedroom, living/work area, full bathroom, food replicator, ultrasonic shower, old-fashioned water shower, personal holographic viewer, provisions for pets, and even a null-grav sleeping chamber is optional. These quarters are similar in "comfort" to those of a high-ranking officer's quarters on a Galaxy Class Starship. The Captain's quarters are slightly larger than the Executive Officer's.
VIP/Diplomatic Guest Quarters: The Akira Class is a symbol of UFP authority, a tool in dealing with other races. Starfleet intends to use Akira Class in diplomacy several times, and the need to transport or accommodate Very Important Persons, diplomats, or ambassadors may arise.
These quarters are located on Deck 3. These quarters include a bedroom, spacious living/work area, personal viewscreen, ultrasonic shower, bathtub/water shower, provisions for pets, food replicator, and a null-grav sleeping chamber. These quarters can be immediately converted to class H, K, L, N, and N2 environments. While smaller in size than those facilities aboard a Galaxy Class or the newer Norway Class vessel, they are still far superior in fit and finish when compared to Starfleet Officer quarters.
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The Excalibur-C Specs:
Class: Akira
Type: Heavy Cruiser
Unit Run: This class remains in production
Commissioned: 2363 - present
Dimensions:
Length : 464.43 m
Beam : 316.67 m
Height : 87.43 m
Decks : 19
Mass: 3,055,000 metric tons
Crew: 550 officers/enlisted + Flight Crews; 4,500 Evacuation Limit
Armament:
5 x Type XII phaser arrays, total output 35,700 Terawatts
3 x Type X phaser arrays, total output 17,500 TeraWatts
2 x Twin Class II rapid fire phaser pulse cannon
2 x Rapid Fire Quantum Torpedo Launcher + 125 torpedoes
10 x Burst Fire Torpedo Launchers + 300 torpedoes
2 x Single Tube Anti-Torpedo Counter Measure Launchers +50 Measures
Defense Systems:
Regenerative shield system, total capacity 2,000,300 TeraJoules
Standard Duranium/Tritanium Double hull plus 5.4 cm Ablative Armor.
High level Structural Integrity Field
Propulsion / Power Systems:
Warp Propulsion and main power provided by a Type XI M/AM Reactor
Impulse power provided by two impulse engines powered by four fusion reactors encased each within engine housing.
Maneuverability provided by a series of twelve surface mounted retro-thrusters pods
[six retro-thrusters per pod] and a series of fourteen embedded RCS thruster quads
Warp Speeds (TNG scale)
Normal Cruise : 7
Maximum Cruise : 9.5 for 10 hours
Maximum Rated : 9.89 for 8 hours.
Diplomatic Capability: Grade III
Expected Hull Life 120 years
Refit Cycle:
Minor : 5 year
Standard : 10 years
Major : 20 years
Design History:
The venerable Akira-class has proven itself in major combat situations with the Dominion, Borg and a host of other situations. It has also proven itself to be a capable all-purpose ship.
The first of these models have reached their first major-refit cycle, as such all new ships, like the Excalibur-C of this class will be outfitted to these specification. The Excalibur-C is the first of the Akira's to be built with the major refit standards, and as such is classified as an Akira-class of the Excalibur subtype.
Most of the major changes from the original Akira-class are beneath the surface and mostly updates to systems such as the EPS grins, LCARS and other support systems. Other adaptations include an enlarged science laboratory section to accommodate a wider range of missions; updates to the sensor palette; a more balanced armament that features fewer photon torpedo launchers in favor of more phaser banks and two quantum torpedo launchers in addition to the still experimental Anti-Torpedo Counter Measure launchers.
Other updates include a newer warp core to augment faster warp speeds, updated fighter compliment and the addition of a Marine areas.
Fighter/Shuttle Compliment:
24 x Lancelot-class Fighter
12 x Lancelot Advanced-class Heavy Fighter
12 x Guinevere-class Bomber
12 x Type 11 Shuttles
8 x Type 9 Shuttles
6 x Danube-class Runabouts
4 x Normandy-class Armored Transports
2 x Justinian-class Corvettes
2 x Sphinx-class Utility Ships
2 x Adventure-class Long Range Scouts
1 x Ethan Allen-class Raider
1 x Cousteau-class Captain's Yacht
Deck Layout:
Weapons Pod*:
Deck A: Tactical Information Center/Flight Operations, Flight Operations
Deck B: TIC Maintenance Support Section, Torpedo Storage
Deck C: Sail Torpedo Control Room, Torpedo Launchers(x7)
Deck D: Sail Torpedo Magazine Emergency Shield Generators 1-2
*Only Deck D is accessible by Main Lift, All other decks are only accessible by a separate lift system
Command Section:
Deck 1: Captains Ready Room, Main Bridge, Briefing Room, Observation Lounge
Deck 2: Junior and Senior Officers Quarters, VIP/Guest Quarters, Executive Officer's Office
Deck 3: Visiting Officers / Noncommissioned Officer's Quarters, Captain's Quarters, Captain's Mess
Catamaran Section*
Deck 1A: Phaser control, Parts Storage, Secondary Armory
Deck 1B: Phaser control, Parts Storage, Tertiary Armory
Deck 2A: Storage, Long-term Isolation and Cryo-units, Enlistee Quarters
Deck 2B: Storage, Crew Quarters, Barbershop, Holosuites
Deck 3A: Secondary Lounge, Crew Quarters, Training and Recreation Facility, Holodecks, Primary Shield Generators
Deck 3B: Marine Headquarters, Marine Company Barracks, Marine Officer Quarters, Marine Armory,Primary Shield Generators
*Decks 1A-3A and 1A-3B are located on the raised 'catamaran' section of the dorsal hull
Primary Hull
Deck 4: Primary Machine Shop, Primary Maintenance Support Center, Chief Science Officer's Office, Primary Science Labs, Junior and Senior Officers Quarters
Deck 5: Junior Officers and Crew Quarters, Main Lounge, Secondary Science Labs , Cargo Bay 1 & 2
Deck 6: Primary Computer Core Control, Main Galley, Officer's Dining, Mess Hall, Cargo Bay 3 - Primary Cargo Bay
Deck 7: Primary Computer Core, Shuttle Maintenance Hangar and Storage, Stellar Cartography
Deck 8: Primary Computer Core, Flight Operations Armory, Fighter Maintenance Hangar and Storage
Deck 9: Fore and Aft Torpedo Bay Control, Torpedo Magazine and Manufacturing Area, Shuttle and Fighter Hangar Elevator Support Systems, Primary Shield Generators
Deck 10: Transporter Rooms 3 and 4, Shuttle and Fighter Preparation Pre-Flight Bay, Emergency Shield Generators 3-4, Phaser Control Systems.
Deck 11: Sickbay, Chief Medical Officer's Office, Primary Medical Labs, Counselor's Office Shuttlebay [Fore and Aft access via deck 12]
Deck 12: Primary Systems Support Compartments, Shuttlebay [Fore and Aft Access]
Deck 13: Flight Personnel Quarters, Secondary Shuttle and Fighter Maintenance Hangar, Flight Deck Operations and Maintenance, Chief of the Air Group's Office, Air Group Briefing Room
Deck 14: Upper Engineering Support Area, Fusion Power Generators 1-4, Enlisted Personnel Living Barracks, Aft and Lower Forward Torpedo Bay and Control, Chief Security Officer's Office, Armory, Firing Range, Main Security, Brig
Deck 15: Main Engineering - M/ARA Operations Center, Fusion Power Generators 4-6, Flight Operations Barracks, Transporter Rooms 1 and 2, Armory, Chief Engineer's Office/Station
Deck 16: Lower Engineering, Deflector Control, Main Tractor Beam Control and Emitter, Environmental Control, Secondary Computer Core, Null-G Gymnasium/Weight Room
Deck 17: Tertiary Maintenance Support Center, Secondary Systems
Deck 18: Environmental Control, Deuterium Storage, Anti-matter Storage Pods, Gravimetric Polaron Generators, Secondary Shield Generators
Deck 19: Waste Management systems, Support Systems, Umbilical Support
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Four months have passed since the Excalibur-B was decommissioned and the entire former crew of the Excalibur-B found themselves strung across the Federation in new roles. But a few weeks prior to tonight sim, most of them received new orders that, though vague, have required them to report to Antares Shipyard. Rumors are circulating that a meeting to be held at 1500 in the main observation lounge of Antares Shipyard Base will hold some clue as to their reason for being there. We open with with everyone gathered in the Ob Lounge on Antares. The time is approx. 1445.
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The table in the main conference room of Starbase 512 was standard issue. It had a silvery-metallic ring around the edges that encircled opaque plate glass. A carafe of water and several glasses sat lonely in the center. Around the table, two admirals, a captain and a man dressed in civilian clothing of dark hues stared back and forth at each other until the door slid open and the silver-haired figure of Captain Ah-Windu Corizon walked into the room.
“Captain,” the lead Admiral said with a slight smile. “I am glad you could make it on such short notice.”
“Of course, I try not to keep the Admiralty waiting.” He nodded to each of the people the room and took his seat. He recognized both of the Admirals—Myi'ama and Shanti—the captain, he assumed, was Serith Unfal, the commanding officer of the station, judging by his green skin and purple eyes. The forth person at the table though, the man in civilian clothing, he was a mystery.
“You know Myi'ama,” Shanti said with a motion. “This is Captain Unfal and Senator Karith.”
Corizon smiled politely offering his hand to Karith. “Senator,” he said politely before nodding towards Unfol. “Captain, thank you for your warm hopsitality. The crew is already enjoying themselves.”
“Of course, Captain.”
“I am sure you're wondering why we pulled you all the way from Amagori to 512?”
“The thought had crossed my mind.”
Myi'ama gave him a look as if to say, “like you don't already know.”
“Off the record,” Shanti said. “I couldn't be happier about the stunt you pulled at Wakith.”
“For the record?”
“You were never there.”
Corizon frowned. “I see.”
Myi'ama nodded. “I think we should tell you that you weren't sent there by accident.”
“I had a feeling.”
“Starfleet, ATAG and the Federation Council have been worried for the last few months that certain elements within our own government have been...” Myi'ama paused and looked towards the Senator.
“Playing fast and loose with the rules.”
Lifting an ear, “If Wakith is 'playing loose with the rules,'” Corizon said trailing off.
Shanti nodded. “They've been getting bolder.”
Unfol leaned forward, his third and fourth eyes blinking in unison. “A few months ago I ran across...certain elements trying to funnel supplies into the Tholian government into a resistence cell that had cropped up.”
“It took all the political wrangling in the world to keep Unfol out of trouble.”
“For doing his job?”
Myi'ama once again sighed heavily. “There's a lot we need to tell you.”
“Clearly.”
“But first...”
“Yes?”
“I have some bad news,” Shanti said gravely. “We've been dealing with the fall-out from Wakith.”
“Fall out?”
“I told you...we've got a lot to catch you up on.”
“Apparently the same people who wanted you out of the Gamma Quadrant now think you're more of a threat to them here.”
“Oh really?”
“Yes”
“So what are they going to do about it? Strip me of my rank? Toss me into the brig?”
Shanti looked at Myi'ama and grinned. “Not exactly.”
Myi'ama smiled. “Looks like Starfleet Command has decided to honor your request to mount a search for the Founders as you agreed to do in exchange with help from the Dominion in dealing with the Scorpiad crisis.”
“About damn time,” Corizon said, a hint of triumph in his voice. “When does Oberon set off?”
Myi'ama took a deep breath, and Corizon gave her a puzzled look. “You won't be going on Oberon.”
“Those Sons of ....”
“You'll be going,” Shanti cut him off quickly. “On the new Excalibur-C.”
Corizon looked blankly from one to the other and just gaffed. “The Excalibur-C?”
“Yes, she's under construction now at the Antares Shipyards.”
“I am picking my own crew you know....”
“Yes, yes...all in good time. But we have a lot to talk about.”
--
Three weeks later.
Corizon sat in his office observing the construction of the USS Excalibur-C. She was going to be a fine ship, no doubt about it. Now she just needed a fine crew. If he was going to do this, he was going to do it with his people.
Speaking to no one in particular he began to rattle of a list of positions needing filled.
“Operations Officer....Lieute...Commander Laarell Teykier...”
“Chief of Engineering....Lt. Commander Tandaris Admiran....”
And the list went on, one by one he filled the positions on Excalibur with the crew of his old ship, filling out the orders and shipping them off for 'approval' from Starfleet HQ.
--
Two days later
“Captain,” Lt. Collette said, nervously to Corizon. “There's some problems here with your requests for officers.”
“Yes?”
“Well some of them are no longer with Starfleet or are on assignment with other people...”
“Like?”
“Lt. Commander Admiran has left Starfleet,” Collette said pointing with a PADD. “And Lt.(JG) Victria is still tied up with Starfleet Intelligence...”
“Then draft Admiran back into the service,” he said plainly.
“And the Lt?”
“I've already taken care of it. Put the orders through and leave the wrangling to me.”
“Of course sir,” Collette said, mentally sighing. “I'll put them in shortly.”
-
The Oberon skated along the the edges of a cloud of asteroid bits and pieces. On the bridge science officer Haskie N'Saar was doing a double, no triple take on the readings on her screen. Glancing towards the communication console across the bridge from her, she caught the attention of Garrett Johnson, a young, auburn haired ensign whom, though she'd not admit it to him, was not only dashingly handsome but one of the most skilled officers on the ship.
“What's up Hask?” He said in his typical boyish manner, his hair flopping as he made his way across the bridge of the New Orleans-class vessel.
She smiled slightly at her 'nickname,' and pointed to the screen. “We've been taking advantage of our proximity to the Soramaro Array,” she said. “We've been sending the information and readings we got on that whole business back at the Uturian Cloud back to Earth and to some scientists at the Nallin Science Outpost...they're doing some work on intergalactic weather phenomena...”
The look on Johnson's face told her that she should probably cut to the chase, as the humans might say. “Well we'd been experiencing some interference...”
“Ion storm maybe?”
“No,” her response was quick, but not condescendingly so. “I started actually looking at the feed, and it appears that there's some sort of...I don't know...interlaced message being bounced through the array, but it's really garbled and...”
Now Johnson was interested and he was already looking at the readout on her screen. “It's almost like some one is interlacing a message across a dozen or so bands of subspace channels.”
N'Saar nodded. “I wouldn't have even noticed if we weren't sending the information out on a couple different channels.”
“I am bringing up the entire register of channels that Array is equipped to handle,” Johnson said as his fingers worked over the console. “It looks like its on twelve...maybe thirteen different channels. Let's see if we can isolate one.”
A few minutes later Johnson had managed to isolate a piece of the message, but all he could make out was a scrambled, solitary shape. “That's interesting.”
“What if in order to read the message you have to bring all the pieces together?”
By now, the officer on watch, Lt. Commander Alex Huzina was curios what the two officers were doing and had made his way over to watch over there shoulder. “Perhaps,” he said grabbing their attention. “But are you sure we should be doing this?”
“Well there's no harm is there?” Johnson said.
Smiling at his enthusiasm, N'Saar quickly added, “Besides what ever that is...it's interfering with normal ship-to-shore communications. Don't we have an obligation to to investigate it.”
Huzina grinned, he as just as curious as they were. “I think so. Crewman Ellington, get Commander Jueng up here, and ask him if we should rouse the Captain.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Alright I think I can manage to isolate all the different pieces...let's see what happens when I...”
Johnson's fingers flew over the console as he extracted the feed from each of the different communication channels and overlaid them on each other. The whole process took probably twenty-minutes, and gave enough time for Jueng to appear on the bridge and take up a position flanking Huzina.
Huzina started to talk, but Jueng waved him off. “Ellington filled me in on the way up.”
“Good, I think Johnson is about ready to compile the strands from the different channels.”
“...And done.”
The screen went dim for a few seconds as the computer processed the commands. When the screen came back to life, instead of communications feed, or even raw data...something none of the crew had expected to happen, happened: the entire bridge went dim as the red alert klaxon began to chirp and the lighting switched to combat mode, every screen on the bridge flickered, then just as Johnson/NSaar's console was already doing a large single glyph filled the screen.
“Gamma?” They all asked at the very same time.
“I think,” Jueng said after a few moments of silence. “Someone should get the Captain up here...”
“Way ahead of you,” they all heard the unmistakable voice of Captain Corizon come from a few feet behind them. “What in the devil is going on?”
“We'll sir...”
He waved a hand. “Gamma.”
“Uhhh....” Johnson said, though the rest of the group were doing the same thing visually. “That sounded like you know what that means?”
“Yes,” Corizon's voice tinged with annoyance, though it did seem like it was directed at the crew. “Why did you happen upon a communication—no I don't want to know—how did you manage to do that?”
Johnson started to speak, but N'Saar cut him off. “Sir we've been using the Array to send information back to Starfleet science and we'd come across interference...Johnson was helping me see what it was when we noticed a message being interlaced in pieces across a dozen channels.”
“I cleared them with seeing what it was,” Huzina said quickly, hoping to keep the Dameon's wrath from lashing at the two younger officers.
They all seemed surprised when in the place of growling Corizon was looking at the console closer, mostly at the readout on the messages. “Can we track where the message is originating?”
Blinking, but not asking any questions, Johnson began tapping quickly. “Wakith.”
Lifting an ear as the hair on the back of his neck stood on end. “Clear the bridge, everyone but the four of you...shoo.”
“Sir?”
“You heard me...everyone but the four of you.” Obediently the bridge crew exited leaving only Johnson, N'Saar, Huzina, Jueng and Corizon staring at the Gamma insignia on the monitors of the Oberon bridge.
When the last of the crew filed out, Corizon let out a small sigh. “Gamma codding is used only by Starfleet Intelligence, ATAG and Starfleet Command. It's somewhat of a closely guarded secret.”
“Sir?”
“It's used when one of those organizations want to send something to someone else in the organization without anyone knowing about it. It's stealthy, well encrypted and hard to track.”
“It's designed so that even if the wrong people in Starfleet come across it and figure out how to put the message back together it will lock out the computers till someone from SI can fix it.”
“I assume that means someone knows we've came across this?”
“If I weren't aboard, yes?”
“Sir?”
“Computer, release Gamma Lockout.”
“Authorization required.”
“Authorization, Corizon, Ah-Windu. Captain. ATAG Identification: Five, Nine, Beta, Two, Dash, Five, One, Theta, Charlie”
“Voice print recognized: Captain Ah-Windu Corizon, ATAG Field Operative. Releasing Gamma Lockout now.”
“What the hell is ATAG?” Jueng couldn't help himself.
“Advanced Tactical Assessment Group.”
“Never heard of it,” Johnson said despite himself.
“I don't doubt it. ATAG is a classified organization tasked with assessing tactical threats to the Federation.”
“So you're some sort of secret agent planted on our ship?” Huzina questioned, looking directly at the Captain.
“Not knowingly,” he said, slightly annoyed at the game of twenty questions.
“What does that mean?”
“It means that I haven't been contacted about being on a mission for ATAG since I got back from the Gamma Quadrant.”
They all looked at him. “You mean this was an accident you being here.”
“I am beginning to suspect otherwise, but you leave that to me.”
“Yes, sir,” came the unison reply.
“Now lets see what this message is about.”
“Aye.”
“Computer, play back message, authorization Corizon Beta One.”
The screens on the bridge flickered, and all but the main screen went dark. Soon the main viewer flashed with an image of the Starfleet parabola, followed by a detailed message from a shadowy Starfleet officer. It was a status report on the Wakith system.
After listening to it, Corizon could see why they wanted them out of the area. “Those son's of bitches.”
The others were almost too shocked to say anything. Corizon though was going a mile a minute. “Jueng, did we file a flight plan with 113 before we left?”
“Yes.”
“Damn.”
“Sir?”
“Johnson...how good are your hacking skills?”
The young ensign wasn't sure how to respond. Actually no one was. The entire last five minutes had seemed like something out of a movie, and here Corizon was behaving like this was par for the course. Not only was he not just shocked at the communique but he seemed like he was already well into planning something.
“Uhh well...that depends.”
“Can you hack one-thirteens databank's to plant a new flight plan for us?”
They were all blinking, and looking at Corizon again. “Sir?”
“We need to be...”
“Huzina, how many hours are we from Wakith now?”
“At maximum warp?”
“Yes.”
“Twelve.”
“How many hours till their,” he pointed at the screen, “zero hour?”
“13, sir.”
“We need to project our course so we'd be with in half an hour of that local space.”
“I don't understand sir, you're not possibly planning on going in guns blazing are you?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
“I am planning on interrupting their little party. They'll call it off if they see another fleet ship.”
“Then why all the subterfuge? We can be there before the party.”
“Right, but we need to make it look like sloppy work on their part. I don't want us all to get court martialed.”
“Come again?”
“Unauthorized viewing of a Gamma-level document is a court martial offense.”
“Even if the contents expose illegal activity?”
“Yes.”
“Damn.”
“I guess we don't have much choice then?”
“Not really.”
“Then we'd better get to work.”
-
The diversionary trip to the Uturian Cloud had produced some interesting scans...if you were a scientist. Corizon was not. Nevertheless, he'd pretended to be interested as his science teams and his ever trusty Chief of Science Marcos Jakobi rattled on for hours about how fascinating the phenomena was to them. It had come as a small relief to Corizon, however, when the phenomena dissipated and it was no longer an object of interest for his team.
Oberon had spent nearly two weeks studying the peculiarity of the whole thing, and Corizon was ready to move on. With no other orders in hand or anything else of note going on in their current sector, he'd directed the helm to make for Qalarn sector where they'd be getting scattered reports of unusual energy bursts from deep space.
He'd retired for the evening and was sitting in his dimly-lit quarters reading a book a friend had sent him just before Oberon sat sail--"He cried in a whisper at some image, at some vision,—he cried out twice, a cry that was no more than a breath—"'The horror! The horror!'--he wasn't quite sure what the unspoken message was exactly, but was sure that the humans history was as bloody as any in the Federation.
Sitting the book down on his lap, he leaned back in the leather chase he currently occupied and yawned furiously. It was just then that he heard the precursory chirp that meant he was about to get comm.'d from the bridge. Sitting up he patiently waited the few seconds it took for Ensign Mi'jJho's awkward, yet articulate voice to pipe into his quarters.
“Captain,” Mi'jJho said in his usual eerie tone. “I have correspondence fromStarbase One-thirteen, Admiral Nikata on for you personally.”
The E'xctejn phrasing had initially caused Corizon to do double takes, but after a few weeks, he'd began to understand the awkwardness of the mop of tentacles and air-sacks.
“Put the Admiral on down here, Ensign.”
“Sir, yes.”
Smiling despite himself at the E'xctejn, Corizon moved to his desk and hit the button causing a monitor to rise from the table. The Starfleet 'parabola' soon appeared on the screen and vanished into Nikata's angular face. Corizon tipped his head slightly, then brought his yellow eyes to bare on the Admiral.
“Admiral.”
“Captain.”
“It's good to talk to you again, something I can do for you.”
“Yes, Captain.” Nikata's voice belied something, but Corizon couldn't be sure what exactly it was. “I understand that your heading towards the Qalarn sector?”
“That's correct, we've got scattered reports of high-energy bursts coming from deep-space,” Corizon said politely. “We thought we'd check it out.”
“I am going to need to divert you from Qalarn...there some trouble going on in the Wakith system and we're advising ships to stay clear of that sector.”
Lifting his eyebrows and ears, Corizon narrowed his glance towards the Rear-Admiral. He'd not heard anything about anything going on in Wakith. It was an unusual play for Starfleet to be sure. “I hadn't heard of anything going on in that system, may I ask what kind of trouble?”
“Oh...nothing major just a local problem,” the Admiral said as his eyes darted off screen for the very briefest of moments. “We'd just rather not get any of our ships tangled up in it.”
“I see,” Corizon said, hiding his curiosity. “What would you like us to do instead.”
“I understand the Amagori Outpost is having trouble with their relay network perhaps you could give them a hand.”
Corizon started to speak, but caught a slight glance from Nikata that said everything he needed to know. “Understood Admiral, we'll make course for the Amagori Outpost.”
“Very well, have a safe trip, Captain. Starbase 113 out.”
The screen flashed the 'parabola' again before descending out of sight and into the desk. Corizon was left once more in the dim light of his quarters with more questions than answers.
If they were trying to divert people away from Wakith...Amagori really wasn't the place to be sending them. It was only a dozen hours away from the edges of the Qularn sector, but then how many people really knew that much about Amagori? The only reason Corizon had known anything about it was from the Dominion War.
The Dominion had made a serious attempt at getting control of Amagori because it was in range of Starfleet's Soramaro Arrai, one of the most advanced communication arrays in quadrant. Other than that though, Amagori was relatively unimportant.
“Helm,” he said tapping his direct line to the bridge. “Alter course to take us to the Amagori Outpost.”
“Yes, sir,” came the quick response, though Corizon didn't recognize the voice.
Looking back to his book that laid on the chair he made his way over and picked it up and sat backdown. Back into the Heart of Darkness he thought to himself. In so many ways.
in Advanced Sims
Posted · Report post
MISSION BRIEFING: The Excalibur survived a raider attack just as the Fighters completed delivering our little gift to the Nebula. Meanwhile, the people on the planet continue to try not to annoy their captors.
030208.txt