Task Force: Gamma

Aria · Posted: Wed May 19, 2010 2:19 am Post subject:

"Okay. I guess we haven't had it yet, then." Aria took another deep breath, nervous. "Whoo. Right, then." Quickly she outlined the situation, covering all the pertinent facts up till now. She did her best to avoid discussing the Borg incident, the temporal prime directive ringing in her ears. But she had to wonder, should she? From the little she'd seen of that battle many people had lost their lives. And Qech had said the Borg had been the cause of numerous other deaths in that timeline's recent past. Did Aria really have the right to condemn those people with her silence?

She didn't explain about the Borg, but it was with a heavy heart. She hoped with all her might that this didn't make her responsible for what would happen.

Time travel had lost its shiny newness for her.

"I know I've left it a little vague in places," she said in conclusion. "But I'm sure you know why I did. It's important that we get back to our own time. The longer we keep bouncing around like this, the more harm we're going to do to the timeline. Besides, I've had quite enough of it." She frowned, looking around at the corridor. "And I don't even know where Jim went this time."
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Davynn Qech · Graphics Chief Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 809

"I know I've left it a little vague in places, but I'm sure you know why I did. It's important that we get back to our own time. The longer we keep bouncing around like this, the more harm we're going to do to the timeline. Besides, I've had quite enough of it. And I don't even know where Jim went this time."

Qech stood in stunned silence for a moment, unsure of what to make of Aria's story, before finally accepting it for what it was. She'd dealt with time travel on many occasions during her career in Starfleet, and knew how messy it could be. She nodded slowly, keeping her voice down in case anyone strolled by.

"So, you don't even know when you are? Well, I'm sure you've noticed, you're not on the Hartington anymore. In fact there's a reunion party this afternoon, after Jim's con- Oh no!"

She placed a hand over her face, leaving her sentence unfinished. "Jim! I know where he is and I don't envy him a bit if what you said is true about taking over your own body... Oh, I hope he's already given his speech."

She bit her lip in thought, looking over Aria's shoulder and into the Counselor's now empty office. "Come in here. He needs to know where you are, I really think you two should stay together."

She hurried into the office, Lioy in tow, and went around Aria's desk. When she activated the comm system a women appeared on the screen, smiling politely. Qech didn't give her a chance to speak and hurried into her question.

"Is Arjim Calodan still at the assembly?"

The woman nodded. "Yes, I believe he is giving his speech now."

Qech swore under her breath. "Alright, well, can I leave a message for him? It's very important."

"Of course." With another nod of the head the woman made to enter the information onto a PADD. "Ready when you are..."

"This message is from Davynn Qech. Just tell him... Tell him that Aria is with me. He'll understand."

"Very well, I will make sure that he gets it."

With a quick thank you, Qech deactivated the viewing screen and turned back to Lioy.

"We need to find a way to stop this. But at least you can meet up at the party."
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Aria · Posted: Wed May 19, 2010 9:38 pm Post subject:

Aria nodded. "All right. That makes sense to me. Although, you'll have to cover for me with the other crewmembers. I'm not going to be conversant with current events...and probably the fewer people who know about this situation, the better. How long's it been since the Hartington, anyway?" She stopped herself. "Wait. Don't answer that. I shouldn't know." How long until the Borg attack? She viciously suppressed the thought, thankful that Qech couldn't read minds.

She cast around for a different subject. "Jim's giving a speech? Now, without knowing what about? Ouch." She winced in sympathy. "I wouldn't be in his shoes for anything."
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Captain David Brennon · Posted: Thu May 20, 2010 5:39 pm Post subject:

A quick rap on the door was the only lead time Qech and Lioy received before the head of a 20-something year old Trill man popped into the room. He smiled at Lioy for a moment before turning his attention to Qech.

"Ma, you told me to tell you when we were going to be late for the Ambassador's shuttle... well guess what. We need to get to the Shuttleport or we're going to be greeting one very unhappy diplomat. You do remember how far the Gamma Quadrant is, don't you?"
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Marek · Posted: Thu May 20, 2010 5:55 pm Post subject:

Croft adjusted his uniform again as he stood at the doors, waiting the arrival of Ambassador Brennen's shuttle. He was still getting used to the idea of taking the chair that once upon the time would have belonged to his former Captain, but it was what he had always wanted, why get cold feet now? He shook his head, glancing around the empty corridor. He thought there was going to be a much bigger welcoming committee, everyone must be running late. They better hurry, the shuttle is running right on time
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Davynn Qech · Graphics Chief Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 809

"All right. That makes sense to me. Although, you'll have to cover for me with the other crewmembers. I'm not going to be conversant with current events...and probably the fewer people who know about this situation, the better. How long's it been since the Hartington, anyway?... Wait. Don't answer that. I shouldn't know."

Qech nodded. "Well, I'll cover for you, and I do understand, but you're going to find out what time frame you're in sooner or later, just on visual cues alone."

As if on cue, there was a knock at the door and Qech's son, Taj, popped his head in.

"Ma, you told me to tell you when we were going to be late for the Ambassador's shuttle... well guess what. We need to get to the Shuttleport or we're going to be greeting one very unhappy diplomat. You do remember how far the Gamma Quadrant is, don't you?"

She looked back at Lioy and shrugged. "That, for instance."

She then looked back to Taj. "Wouldn't want to keep Mr. Punctual waiting, now would we?" She grinned. "Alright I'm coming."

He held the door open wider and allowed the two of them to walk by, his mother reaching up to pat him playfully on the cheek as she walked by. "Not enough time for a shave, kid?"
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Aria · Posted: Sat May 22, 2010 8:52 am Post subject:

"Taj?!" Aria blurted out. He looked at her quizzically. "Um...you look good, kid," she said quickly, trying to cover her mistake. "Don't let your mom tell you differently."

She walked along the corridor with the two Trill, her head reeling. Taj had to be twenty-two at least. Over twenty years since Aria's own time. It seemed she was spiraling farther and farther away from the world that was familiar to her. She felt numb.

No. There must be a way to get back. Last time they'd been too...busy...to look for it. This time she'd have to find Calodan and then focus on their predicament entirely until they found a way to return. Maybe they should go back to the nebula that caused the problem. She'd bring it up to him when she saw him.

Until then she'd just have to ride this wave she found herself on, and try not mess up the future too badly.
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ArjimCalodan · Posted: Sun May 23, 2010 3:44 am Post subject:

Calodan struggled to the podium during the applause. In his hand, he held the same PADD he had had the whole time. He activated it, hoping beyond hope....drat. As usual, he had no notes on it. He had never written notes for a presentation in his life. The PADD was for show...and it was showing him a few doodles he must have drawn during a boring presentation and some notes about what he wanted for dinner. Great.

The sudden silence in the room dragged him away from the PADD. He looked out at the room and saw a sea of faces...all waiting for his speech on..what was it..slipstream technology? That was decades away...that must mean he was decades away. "Ladies..." his voice cracked so he cleared his throat. "Ladies and gentlemen...thank you for coming today. I...uhh...regret that I will not be able to give my speech. I'm feeling very ill and must bow out. If you'd please welcome to the podium, Mr. Ghan again. He has kindly volunteered to take over for me." The look of shock on the portly porcine face almost made him smile before he rushed back stage.

Just off stage, a young yeoman was waiting with a PADD. Upon seeing him, she walked over and stood at attention. "Captain Calodan, I have a message for you." She handed over the PADD and he started to read it. It was from Comm...Captain Qech. "Aria is with her. Good." he thought to himself. "And Captain? Must not have had that court martial after all."

"Yeoman, I need to get to the sender of this message immediately. Please assist me in locating her and securing transport. And..uh...at ease before you hurt something." Being a Captain had its priveleges in Starfleet and the yeoman briskly nodded and walked over to a nearby console and began punching in commands. Before he knew it, she escorted him to a transporter pad and had transported him to a busy shuttleport. After a quick check with the dockmaster, he leaned against the front of a waiting shuttle that he had been assured was waiting for a Dr. Qech.
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Davynn Qech · Graphics Chief Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 809

The walk to the shuttleport was not a silent one. Qech chatted with Taj about how his semester at the Academy was going in an effort to keep him from asking Lioy any questions she might not be able to answer. He didn't seem to recognize the diversion however, seen as his mother was no more talkative than usual.

"And if the cafeteria food has not changed since I was there then I'm sure you're looking forward to some real food tonight. And I hope you'll have a couple days to spare because your grandparents- yes, all of them- are dropping by to see you. Don't look at me like that, I simply mentioned you were on vacation and they invited themselves. You really should call them more often or they wouldn't be so starved for your attention."

She laughed and playfully patted him on the back. She was obviously happy to see him, too.

When they entered the shuttleport, Calodan was probably the very first person she saw. He was leaning up against their scheduled shuttle, clearly waiting for them. She gently elbowed Lioy.

"Looks like he got the message."

She grinned and approached her old friend, convincingly making a show that everything was completely normal. She hugged him, using the opportunity to whisper so Taj couldn't hear.

"We'll get you home, Jim. Just play it up for a bit."
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ArjimCalodan · Posted: Sun May 23, 2010 9:54 pm Post subject:

"We'll get you home, Jim. Just play it up for a bit."

Calodan gave her a look. Playing it up was easier said then done.

Taking his cue from her he held her out at arm's length. "It is so good to see you Davynn." He released her from the hug. "And you two Commander Lioy. I think I might need some counseling before the day is over." Finally, he turned to the young man in a cadet's uniform with the distinct Trill spots and his mother's eyes. "And Cadet Qech as well. That uniform looks good on you."
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Antonio Coelho · Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 7:11 am Post subject:

Something's wrong... Antonio thought as he watched Captain Calodan excuse himself. A few minutes ago he was smiles and confidence, now this? I'd best check on him myself in case something is serious. He rushed out of the auditorium as quickly and almost lost him outside in the crowds.

"Jim!" He called out just in time to watch Calodan dissipate into the transporter beam.... It wasn't impossible to catch another transporter to the dock once he saw where Calodan had gone on the terminal records, but the delay was enough to let Coelho wonder what was going on until rushing through the shuttle port, he saw the reunion was starting early.

"And here I was thinking the reunion was in an hour. We're all early today."
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Science has two purposes, to enhance life and to protect it. I embrace the former, what do you choose?

Marek · Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 8:26 am Post subject:

Croft had been pacing the corridor when his combadge chirped to life, "Captain Croft, you requested to be notified when two shuttles were on approach. The Ambassador's shuttlecraft reports it will arrive in twenty minutes, Cap..Dr. Qech's shuttle will arrive in ten minutes." Croft tapped his combadge, "Thank you, Croft out." Croft entered the shuttle bay, checking with the flight ops officer and heading for the landing pad that Davynn's shuttle was assigned. It will be good to see the old crew again
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Aria · Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 8:15 pm Post subject:

Aria smiled at Calodan, relieved to see him. One problem solved, at least. She opened her mouth to say hello, and instead something completely different popped out.

"How'd the speech go, Jim? Did you surprise them?"
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ArjimCalodan · Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 8:24 pm Post subject:

"How'd the speech go, Jim? Did you surprise them?"

Calodan gave Aria a look. "Ya, I would say I thoroughly surprised the crowd."

"And here I was thinking the reunion was in an hour. We're all early today."

Calodan turned to face the newcomer. "Well hello Mr. Coelho. You're looking well. You here to join us? I think that we're just about to depart."
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Captain David Brennon · Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 10:01 pm Post subject:

Cadet Taj Bethel looked from his mother to the Officer and friends he had grown up around and back to his mother before starting to speak again. He'd been quiet up until now, ever since stepping into his mother's office and seeing Counselor Lioy. Something had been odd about the meeting and his mother had been speaking in whispers with the counselor and Calodan. Now these faux pas... Not one to mince words or to beat around the bush, the Cadet simply asked the question.

"What is going on?"
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