Star Trek: Season 7 - Masquerade

[Omra]

With so many people away visiting the Holodecks it was easy to do more intensive testing on the worker bee attachments and appendages.  Korridan used the worker bees AI enhanced intuitive interface to manipulate the floating sheets of metal, arranging them and placing spot welds on them.  He was about to disassemble the metal panels and give this worker bee a passing grade when loud cursing broke his concentration, and demanded his full attention.

Korridan looked at his rear view screen and saw the source of the commotion.  The tall and gangly Master Chief was waving his arms and legs wildly while floating in the maintenance bay; shouting in frustration, "Jesus, Mary and Joseph!"  Korridan leaned out of the cockpit and smiled at the pin wheeling Hillbilly, "Forgot your zero G training Hooch?"  The infamous mountain man just glared at him as he floated helplessly, he cleared his throat loudly and pointed ferociously to the deck.  Korridan waved to him and then carefully dialed the gravity back up to the standard setting.

As he exited the cockpit and approached the now vertical and standing NCO, he cautiously explained, "I posted at the entrances that Zero G testing was going on in here..."  The visibly rattled Chief just gave him a dismissive wave of his hand and did not make eye contact, "yeah, yeah, I'm sure that you did," he stared at the doorway he had come through earlier, "I was just in a hurry and didn't check first..."

Korridan was wondering what had his friend so rattled but decided not to press further, and returned to his work.  He scanned the VIN on the worker bee and entered it into his PADD as having been tested and ready for service.  He noticed that Hooch was still staring at the door, Korridan decided to try and break the tension, "So why aren't you goofing off on the Holodeck like everyone else?"  Hooch looked at Korridan with a questioning look.  He pressed further, "You know,... Camelot!"  He made a dramatic flourish with his finger, as if brandishing a sword when he said the word 'Camelot'.

The tall mountaineer was nervously casting his eyes about, as if expecting gremlins to come scurrying from the shadows.  Korridans eyes narrowed, "You all right there... Hooch?"  The ex trappers eyes grabbed a hold of him, like a drowning mans hands grabbing a hold of a rope, "Camelot; that was a medieval place right?" his face filling with faint hope, "you know, knights and damsels and all that nonsense... right?"

Korridan slowly nodded, "Sure, what's up Hooch,... you've got me worried."

The embarrassed man shuffled his feet, and looked uneasy.  His voice was distant, "Well there was this time I was out trapping and hunting, you know trying to build back up our supplies for the colony..."  Korridan joined in trying to let him know he was listening and understood, "The replicators had gone down; and the new colony had only just planted the crops, and the young livestock only recently taken out of stasis..."  Tension left the trappers body, "Yeah, there was no food... people were starving."  Korridan tried to keep him grounded, "This is all documented, you were a hero," he slapped the man on the shoulder, "you saved the colony with your hunting skills, but what does this have to do with..."

The Hunter hung his head, "I got real hungry out there in the woods one time, and I saw these mushrooms..."  He looked about to be sure they were alone before continuing, "it turned out these mushrooms were not the type you should eat, if you know what I mean..."  Korridan fought hard not to smile.  Hooch let out a loud exhale and rolled his eyes dramatically, "It was really ugly stuff..."

Korridan nodded in understanding, a smile on his face and laughter threatening to erupt from his mouth.

Hooch pointed towards the door, "When I saw all those people out there milling about, wearing armor and funky costumes," he waved his arms in the air and looked excitedly at Korridan, "I thought I was having a hallucinogenic flashback!"

The shuttle bay filled with the riotous laughter of the two old veterans.

[moyer777]

The cleaning solution dripped down the sign as the cotton cloth swiped up the moisture.  Rubbing it in a circular motion the sign was polished and in place.  He activated the holo flames and they lit up the letters that spelled...

"THE AFTERBURNER"

J'dan made a few clicks on his pad and the hover step ladder floated to the floor.  He stepped off of it and looked at the sign above the door to the newly named lounge. 

"Nice!" he said cheerfully, "Very nice!"

The  oak doors with the starfleet insignia etched on the round windows hissed open to reveal many crew members talking and laughing.  A few couples were cozy by the window seats and various drinks dawned the tables and the large oak bar to the right in the room.  In the far left corner was a stage set up with the piano and some musical equipment.  The stage was also equipped with holo emitters so that anytime the crew that were musicians could order up and instrument or a band for that matter and play along.  Right now though music from  a Cantarian musician named DuK Lorian permeated the air.  it was relaxing yet festive.

"Brex would be proud" J'dan Marley mumbled to himself as he took the cotton cloth and polished the bar. 

He had spent a considerable amount of time making this place comfortable for the crew.  It was his first time actually running a bar.  He had always worked for someone, now it was his chance to help the crew relax and maybe even distract them from the everday responsibilities of space travel.   He was proud of the atmosphere he had created.

[Jen]

Doctor Drett looked up from her work as the doors to Sickbay opened, and shifted nervously as the Vulcan crossed the floor to meet her. Commander Sevryll's mother, sensed the tension and stopped a few meters away, "Am I interrupting your work Doctor?" asked the gray haired woman.
Ryla tried not to allow her voice to crack, "no, not at all. What can I do for you Doctor Sareth?"

The professor studied Ryla Drett a moment and continued, "I did not have an opportunity to apologize for what happened in your Sickbay on Tiberius." The vulcan had not been immune to the virus that spread through the late vessel and had lost control. She tossed a nurse through a glass wall and almost killed another when she lifted her off the floor by the throat.

Doctor Drett nodded in understanding, "you weren't aware of what you were doing... you can't be held accountable for what happened then."

Sareth inclined her head and clasped her hands together behind her back. "I may suppress my own emotions, but I can still sense them in others. My presence makes you uncomfortable."

"No...not at all... not really... welllll... It's... it's not you. I'm not afraid of you specifically... you just remind me of a particularly traumatic experience I had then."

Sareth nodded, "I recall the event you are referring to. It occurred during quarantine. Your arm was broken during a struggle. A man took you hostage while attempting to steal a shuttlecraft; the illness affected him much in the same way it had affect me— he became insane. It is understandable that I would remind you of that incident. I will go."

"No, it's OK." Said the trill, who now felt guilty.   

[X]

Join post by Jen and Just X
Keeping in pace with the precession, Aria moved her black Clydesdale closer to her mother's smaller steed. She had slowly found the setting to be more enjoyable than she had first thought, but still she had many questions. Aria also refused to restrict her mobility or speed when confronted with potential combat. Armor might serve well to protect one from attack, but logic dictated that it was both safer and more efficient to not get hit.

"Mother," Aria said softly.  She pulled the mink trimmed hood of her coal black leather coat down to feel the cool air on her face. "How different is this setting from the one that we will be encountering? Is there going to be a need for cosmetic surgery?"

Sevryll turned in her saddle to glance back at the others, then turned to her daughter. "It is logical to assume so, yet the data provided to us was incomplete. A portion of the records regarding the world has been withheld for decades to protect the planet's populace. To prevent the information from falling into the wrong hands we were promised more details after we leave Starbase 35. I was told the planet resembled Earth, but I know little else about the environment."

Aria considered the lack of information. "If this is indeed a training simulation, I would suggest that we refrain from creating further equipment and supplies. We will not have that option while in the field and I assume that will also be denied domesticated transportation."

She stroked the main of her steed and looked at the assembled knights. She could easily see the logic in the holographic session, but could not understand the manipulation of the program to ease difficulties.

"Not necessarily," said Sevryll. "If we require surgeries or preliminary supplies they will be afforded to us during our stop at Starbase 35. We will be provided with the proper currency, which we will later replicate aboard Arabella when needed. Thus allowing us to purchase what we cannot bring with us."

A light snow began to fall as she glanced to Margon, who was chatting merrily with Doctor Peterson. She shivered in her armor and turned back to Aria. "The training program was meant to introduce the medieval culture to our officers. I do not expect them to create the items they need via conventional methods. That would require yet another training program," said Sevryll as she arced a brow expressively. After a brief moment she added, "but I see the program does require certain stopgap measures to ensure that this experience is as accurate as possible." The armor clad queen raised her voice for the computer's benefit, "Computer, prohibit program adjustments from all but Captain Quinn and Commander Sevryll." The computer chimed instantaneously, signifying acknowledgment.

Aria nodded, "I believe that many of the crew will find this mission to be trying.  It will be akin to spending time in The Forge where a lack of technological support is not optional. I believe that this may be an interesting social observation, to see how the away teams deal with a lack of technology and the need to resort to hunting and gathering for basic survival supplies."

She smiled and kept her steed in pace with her mother's. She enjoyed the cold that nipped against her skin. It was not Vulcan in the least. In another time, she had made several trips to Iowa on Earth and spend weeks riding and camping with her father. While she had not originally possessed her father's temporal gene, she did have his ability to communicate with machines. Even in the holodeck, there was a constant buzz that pressed softly against her mind. It was in those times, in The Forge and in the wilderness of Iowa, that they were able to find relief from the constant communications.

She looked something like an elf of Earth legend. The snow clung to her coat and had forced her to pull her hood over her head. She had no clue what to expect of the coming mission, but a part of her was excited by it. She could spend decades learning from a culture like the one that they would be visiting, but only if this culture had evolved faster than Earth as far as treatment of their females was concerned.

The farther they advanced into the forest, the more peculiar the atmosphere felt. It was heavy and dark. The sound of their horses' hooves crunching the fresh snow, was accompanied by the constant jangle of their tack and the squeaking of Margon's wagon. Other than those foreign noises, the woods were quiet...and eerily so. The counselor, began to sing to settle his horses who had begun to jump and fidget nervously. His eyes roamed the trees for anything that would cause them to be uneasy. Sevryll's acute sense of smell detected an unpleasant odor, then her ears pricked at the snap of a tree branch. She flicked her gaze to Aria whose expression was as keen as a hawk's. The commander lifted her hand and halted the procession. A millisecond later she was struck from her mount and landed with an iron thud in the snow at her horse's feet; it danced around her as the man who hit her, swung over head from a rope and landed on a branch on the other side of the path. Sevryll gasped for air as Ensign Farmer jumped from her horse and struggled to help the commander to her feet. Shouts and the clang of iron against iron filled the air. Arrows whistled past as Sevryll and Mackie were quickly flanked by K'tan and D'Callan.


Aria's horse reared with the sudden attack, but she wasted little time as her half vulcan heart pounded in her chest. She jumped from her saddle while readying her bow. The eyes of a huntress surveyed the landscape for a target even as she drew closer to her mother side. Her voice rose in anticipation of the coming conflict, "Guards, to your queen!"

[Omra]

Shyn fidgeted in the uncomfortable chair; she had never liked human furniture, it rarely accommodated someone with a tail.  She let slip a feral growl, "Why can't someone design furniture for felines..." 

She was snapped from her foul mood by a sound like wind chimes in a gentle breeze, she cast her eyes about seeking out the source of the pleasing sound.  When her initial search came up empty the sound intensified.

When realization hit the Phen'rell she joined in with the Hamalki's laughter, and looked up to the ceiling.  Hanging upside down effortlessly on the common rooms ceiling was one of Shyn's roommates, "Good Morning Shyn'Nahl'Brah'Thai, I would be honored to fix that chair for you..."  Shyn smiled, she loved the way the Hamalki spoke her name; her speech was like music.  "I keep forgetting to look up," Shyn shook her head, "And what is it with you engineers, always wanting to redesign stuff?"

The crystalline spiderlike alien responded, "It is our greatest calling; to create a better life for all, through superior design."  Predatorlike teeth shone as Shyn smiled a wide grin, "You missed your true calling K'il'tik, you should be in Public Relations; especially with that voice of yours..."  The melodic sound of wind chimes filled the room once more, "Your words honor me friend Shyn, but I fear I do not have a face for Broadcasting."  Shyn joined in with the laughter; though no where near as ladylike or as melodious as her multi limbed friend.

Four of the Hamalki's eyes swiveled and transfixed upon the Phen'rell's PADD, "Oooh what is that?"  Shyn followed her gaze to the PADD in her hand, "Oh; just a little project of mine, I got the idea from a dream I had..."  Her voice trailed off, as the memories from the nightmare flooded back to her.

The Hamalki's musical voice bubbled with excitement, "May I?"  "Huh?" Shyn snapped from her dark cloud of memories, "Oh, sure," she held the PADD up.  Two beautiful spiderlike limbs which shone like polished glass gingerly reached down and deftly plucked the PADD from her grasp, and raised it up to her forward ocular array.  Four of her smaller and more manipulative appendages danced gracefully across the keys of Shyn's PADD, "an ocular information and targeting interface?"

Shyn started to answer when her dark skinned Elloran roommate and fellow security officer burst into the room, "Yo Shyn, gear up, it's time for the Dog and Pony Show!"  Shyn stood and stretched, preparing for her shift.  A pleasing voice from above her head inquired of her, "May I transmit this to my work station?"  Shyn looked to the crystalline engineer, "Sure K, have fun with it."  As Shyn secured her gear and adjusted her uniform, she noticed the Elloran looking at her with a bemused expression on her face.  Shyn glowered at her, "What?"

Her friend replied, "A little overdressed don't you think?" Gesturing to Shyns skintight and padded tactical uniform complete with chinguards and combat boots.  Shyn looked down at her impressive outfit, "I saw it in the database and thought it was really cool looking, I wanted to try it out..."  The Elloran did not seem convinced, and brought up their duty assignments on her PADD.  A smile rose on her lips and she laughed as she headed out the door into the hallway, "The shuttle bay, heh.. heh.. heh, I should have guessed..."

Shyn stood her mouth agape, unsure what to say.  The door closed before a response came to her.  As she stood awash with embarrassment her PADD gently reappeared in her hand complements of the female Hamalki.  The symphonic sounds of K'il'tik's voice graced Shyn's ears as she silently skittered back into her quarters, "I am sure the Bajoran will be pleased by your appearance furry one..."

The timely closing of a door cut off her reply once more.

Shyn growled in frustration, the empty room her only audience.

[Meds]

Joint post by Wraith1701 and HawkeyeMeds


As K'Tan, D'Callan and Dunn made their way down a wooded path, keeping a small distance behind Sevryll K'Tan laid a hand on the security chief's shoulder.  D'Callan paused and turned as Dunn wandered off ahead.  "What is it mate?", the chief asked.

"It's about the comment you made earlier regarding Commander Sevryll's... feminine attributes."  A mischievous smile formed on D'Callen's face; K'Tan answered with a subtle frown. "I agree that the Commander's form is...", K'Tan paused while he searched for the proper word.  "...Pleasing.  But it's important that we observe protocol.  As our commanding officer, she is due the same respect that we show the captain.  In fact, this holds true for the entire crew, regardless of rank."  D'Callan's face reddened slightly as he looked on in silence.  After a pause, he slowly nodded his head.  "Fair enough, Commander."
Just as D'Callan spoke a sudden blast of movement shot above them and D'Callan looked ahead to see Dunn and Sevryll fall.

"Ambush" shouted K'tan.

The two men raced forward weapons pulled D'Callan glanced at K'Tan

"My Queen deserves and apology from me K'Tan. I intend to see her get it"

The two men flanked Sevryll, D'Callan spun his sword around his body and posed raedy to protect Sevryll. He looked quickly at her and felt a tinge of embarrassment.
K'Tan moved his staff to an angle ready for action.

[iceman]

Dr. Peterson Jumped from his steed, sword in hand and turned just in time to block what would have been a crushing blow to head. The Doctor turned slightly and positioned himself to parley another blow and countered with a slashing blow that incapacitated his opponent as his blade sliced through the flesh of his attackers mid section.

Doctor Peterson surveyed the area through the misty atmosphere that had concealed the attackers and took his fellow crewmates totally by surprise. They had foolishly allowed themselves to be lulled into a false sense of security by the stillness of their environment.

Casey could barely see the commander being helped up from the ground ,7hthe security teem while they blocked blows from their enemies.

The Doctor worked his way over to Margon who was in the process of rendering two would-be assassins unconscious by banging their heads together like a bunch of coconuts. The sound of their skulls crashing together made a sickening thud that resulted in both individuals laying in an unconscious heap beneath Margons feet.

Casey was caught off guard as he was bodychecked to the ground by an incredibly strong individual. He could feel a trickle of blood drip down his forehead and taste the warm metallic liquid as it passed over his lips and rolled down his chin.

Petersons Opponent was getting ready to strike when he took the opportunity to knock his opponent off his feet by placing a well placed kick to his enemies kneecap. The Doctors timing was perfect as the knights Kneecap gave way with a deafening crunch that was followed by his screams of agony.

Casey slowly picked himself up off the ground and quickly surveyed the battlefield. From his perspective, it looked as if the crew was holding their own as they had dispatched or incapacitated a large number of the enemy forces to the point that both forces were almost evenly matched.

The Doctor continued his way towards the Commander and security team dispatching a number of attackers on the way until he was standing next to the queen.

[Bryancd]

Ensign Dunn was rather enjoying their trek through the forest. He walked alongside the horse on which sat Commander Sevryll who cut a rather impressive visage. In fact, he had never seen her look more lovely, Callean's assessment, though inappropriate, had been accurate...If only he were about, what, 50 years older?
Suddenly in his peripheral vision, he saw a flash of movement. As he turned he could see a man spinning a leather sling above his head. He released one end and large rock sot out towards him. Before he could react or respond, the rock hit him in the solar plexus, knocking him down and the very breath from his lungs. Another man on a rope swing above his head. Looking across the ground he could see the prone form of Commander Sevryll. Her cloak was stained green and Dunn hoped it was from the grass and not a more sever injury for the Vulcan. He had momentarily forgoten they were on the holodeck and quickly diemissed that thought. But the realism was defiantly turned up a notch. He saw the booted feet of K'Tan and D'Callan run up as he tried to push himself off the ground. he hear whistling noises cutting though the air.
'What in the world is that?' he thought.

[Jen]

Joint post by BryanCD, Wraith 1701, Hawkeye Meds and Jen

Ensign Farmer felt around in the snow as K'Tan, D'Callan and Peterson defended the immediate area. Sevryll's eyes shot about, taking in the scene that surrounded her. Her claymore was lost in the snowdrift, leaving her somewhat defenceless. Her gaze fell on the young Fertillian who acted as her squire. "Forget the sword!"  shouted Sevryll.  The science officer glanced up at the commander; the intensity of the vulcan's eyes verified the gravity of her order. As Spring ran back to the circle of battling officers, she watched a highwayman break their defenses and rush Sevryll. The vulcan saw him coming, and ducked. As the man advanced past her, Joseph tripped the bandit, causing him to stumble head first into the snow. The assailant rolled onto his side and sat up, only to be struck by Spring with a large stick that she had mistaken for the claymore.

"Good work,"  shouted the commander over the chaos. The fighting continued and Sevryll did her best to contribute to the battle by utilizing her skills in Suss Mahn, a discipline developed by her people.  The suit she wore was limiting but she managed to employ the nerve pinch whenever possible.

As K'tan watched the commander, the doctor, and the new ensign bravely face down their foes, he felt his heart swell with pride.  He was honored to call these people his crewmates; their courage rivaled that of more than a few klingons he had known during his youth.  But despite their warrior's spirit, he knew that they would not be opposed to D'Callan, Dunn, and himself taking a more active role in their defense.  After all, the three of them were true experts in the physical arts.

K'Tan waded into his foes, his battle staff sweeping back and forth like a reaper's scythe.  And like wheat before the scythe, his opponents fell to the ground in his wake.  He then spun his staff around and pointed at D'Callan. "Go on, my friend.  There's plenty to go around."  D'Callan smiled and thrust his sword into the side of one of the assailants. The body fell of the sword and D'Callan turned the sword several times in his hand and began to run at Sevryll. The Commander had just disabled two more men but her back was turned to an oncoming assassin. "Down my Lady" Shouted D'Callan. Sevryll instinctively ducked down as D'Callans sword flew past her head and entered the helmet of the attacking man.

Dunn had grabbed another man and signaled at Spring to hit him. Spring, still holding the stick, cracked it down on the struggling man, causing it to shatter in her hand. The body fell down and the pair ran towards D'Callan and K'Tan who were now finishing off some more of the attackers. Peterson, standing next to Sevryll, watched as K'Tan and D'Callan fought against three men. D'callan's sword dispatched one of them in two moves and K'Tan finished the last two men by snapping his staff in half and slamming an end into each of the attacker's face.  As the bodies fell, K'Tan held his hand out to D'Callan, who was on one knee trying to get his breath back.

"That year off has taken its toll on you, friend!"  K'Tan yelled with a grin.

D'Callan nodded at K'Tan, then stood as the rhythmic thunder of a rapidly approaching horse echoed across the battlefield.  The pair turned in unison to witness the fiercely grinning visage of the Chief Engineer.  K'arath's proud shock of hair whipped behind him from the speed of his galloping steed's approach.  As the Klingon rider drew near, K'Tan nudged D'Callan in the side, and smiled.  "The fate of our foes is now sealed.  They are about to face the wrath of a true Son Of Q'onos."

K'arath leapt from his horse in a single motion while drawing the long sword from his scabbard. His heart raced and his blood boiled at the scene before him. The two security officers were engaged in battle, protecting the Commander. Their skills with the blade were impressive. He rushed froward as another assailant rushed from behind a tree. He was wielding a spiked metal ball on the end of a chain attached to a handle. 'Mace' K'arath thought as he identified the weapon. He brought his sword up to block the impending blow...but it was a feint. The spiked ball whistled above his head as he spun around on his heels and thrust the sword backwards, impaling the attacker.

K'ararth turned back towards his crewmates and saw K'tan dispatch two men at once with a broken staff... he was impressed.

A particularly brawny man's eyes bulged in surprise as his mind quickly lost influence over his body... and then consciousness. The vulcan released her grip on his neck as he fell, and turned in time to see the last of their horses galloping away with Margon's wagon bouncing wildly behind them.

[X]

As the enemies closed around her, Aria released the bow from and grip and drew a small sword and its twin from the sheaths located on her hip. The sudden rush of the enemy had pushed her away from those fighting beside the queen and sent her horse running ahead.

The sound of her heart became the pounding beat of a song that only she could hear.

Parry. Strike. Spin.

He body flowed like water as she defended herself and attacked the three bandits that had chosen her for their target.

Block. Duck. Slash.

Razor sharp blades and vulcan strength brought little drag when the weapons slipped through armor and flesh. It was a dance of death created. Part instinct. Part Logic.

Slash. Spin. Thrust.

Aria's thin frame contorted and whirled in defense and attack. The sounds of battle a distant haze in her mind. Instinct provided defense while calculations of angles, speed, and distance maximized her attacks.

Slash. Slash. Slash.

Inside her mind she stood on the edge of passion and peace. She danced in the eye of the storm and she loved it. He vulcan heart pounded as her enemies fell. Logic and emotion were in strong agreement. Save the Queen. Save her mother.

Duck. Sweep. Stab.

It was over. Aria rose slowly and pulled the blades free of her final target. Long black hair fell over her face and eyes as she swayed slightly to the ancient song that only she could hear. Blades were wiped on the tunic of her foes and returned to their sheaths. The sounds of the world slowly returned from their banishment.

"Is everyone unharmed?"

[Jen]

She had several physical exams left to perform, but those could wait. "I'm about to go on break... would you care to join me for lunch?"

The gray-haired vulcan woman studied Doctor Drett before answering serenely, "that would be most agreeable."

The After Burner Lounge was alive with music, and filled with patrons enjoying their mid-day meals. Ryla was pleased to find a table close to the ever-popular outlook... and she wasted no time in appropriating the prized real estate. Several officers mingled near by, watching the streaking stars stretch past in ad nauseam. Ryla smiled at them as she and the stoic professor claimed their seats and joined the crewmen as they gazed at the vista in silent appreciation.  A moment later, a familiar Bajoran came to take their orders.

"Mr. J'Dan, you are looking well! Which reminds me... You haven't come by Sickbay for your physical exam." She glanced about the lounge before adding with a smile, "business must be good."

[moyer777]

The three suns shown down on Margon as he lounged next to the beautiful stream.  He watched as his kids swung on rope out over the deep part and let go.  The tall grass tickled his bald head and he stretched out.  Suddenly the ground shook and he came up off the root he was resting on next to the tree. 

"What the?"

Again the ground bumped under him and he sat straight up hitting his head on something.  He opened his eyes and let out a yelp!  He was in the back of his blacksmith wagon and was being shaken as contents of the cart were bouncing all around.  He had hit his head on the large anvil that took up the middle of the cart.  The hammer he had been trying to get during the attack was in his right hand with some hair and blood on it.  On the other side of the anvil was a lifeless highway man. 

"Oh my head!" he said softly.

The wagon was being pulled by the oxen at a dead run.  Something he had never seen before.  He poked his head out of the front of the wagon to see the companies horses running along side.  He slipped up into the seat and looked for the reigns.  They were dragging underneath the wagon.  Of course he knew what needed to be done, but wasn't excited about the prospect of crawling down and trying to fish the reigns out from underneath these thousand pound running animals. 

"Computer" he cried out, "Stop oxen"

"Unable to comply" said the computer coldly "commands only accepted from Captain Quinn or Commander Sevryll"

"Great... just great" he mumbled.

He only hoped the safety protocals were still in place.  Crawling down and trying balance on the yoke the wagon hit a large root and shot up into the sky.  The couselor sailed through the air and landed head first back in the seat he had crawled down from.

"Ouch" he yelled out.

Picking himself back up he heard a noise and turned to see the highway man alive and well.  The man had a crudely made longsword that wasn't quite finished and with one push he kocked the counselor out of his seat and back down onto the oxen.  Margon cluthed the leather tack and tried to keep from falling under the wagon.  His enemy peered down from the wooden seat and began to jab the sword toward him.   

"That is quite enough my friend!" said the counselor.

The man grunted and proceeded to thrash more wildly.  Again the wagon hit another high spot in the road and the wagon jumped into the air.

The man slipped from the seat, hit his head on the frame of the wagon and fell to the side of the wagon.  The water barrell smashed him in the side of the head and the wheel on the wagon did the rest.  There was a dull "thud" and the man lay dead on the ground as the wagon sped on.

Finally the counselor got one of the reigns and managed to get the other.  He swung himself back up onto the bench and pulled back hard.   

"WHOAAAAA there!  WHOAAAA there!" He shouted with authority.

The wagon began to slow and the oxen came to a halt breathing hard. 

The counselor let out a piercing whistle by placing his fingers into his mouth.

The horses that had been gallpoing along side of the wagon turned and ran back to the cart. 

He gathered his bearings about him and turned the wagon around. 

"I believer our services are needed my friends." he said, not quite as amused as before, "let's get back to our party"

With that he grabbed a couple of ropes and flung them onto the two most dominate horses.  The rest followed.

"I will need to talk to the commander and the captain about this lack of holodeck control" he said to his oxen, "Yah!  Yah!" 

The beasts began to go forwad and the wagon squeaked as the wheels turned.  The entire adventure was rather stimulating and he hadn't been aware of the temperature.  It was still snowing and the couselor was now cold.

[Jen]

"Why do you continue to ask? I am fine," said Sevryll as she shed the Cuirass that Spring unfastened. "Thank you," she said softly to the young Fertillian.

"Your cloak has blood on it," remarked Aria.

A jade droplet landed in the snow as Sevryll looked down at the crimson cloak at her feet. She instinctively touched her forehead and found a wound hidden by her raven hair. "I must have hit my head when I was struck from my mount," she said calmly.

The vulcan then cast off the rest of her armor, leaving only the thick cloth doublet and pants worn underneath. Feeling considerably lighter and much colder, the vulcan reached for her cloak, shook off the snow and swung the mantle about her shoulders.

The snow was falling heavily now and it stuck to her hair and cloak. Her ears pricked at a new sound that echoed in the distance, and she focused on its resonance. The vulcan turned her head in the direction of the noise and, without uttering a single word, began advancing towards it; Aria and Spring exchanged glances before jogging  a few steps behind. Sevryll stopped when the welcome sight of Counselor Margon appeared over the hill with their horses in tow. 

"YES!" said Ensign Farmer, "I really wasn't looking forward to walking."

"Indeed," said Sevryll as she returned the Bolian's wave. "We should continue moving...This "Merlin" is still some distance from here, and the daylight is slipping away." She looked back at K'tan, K'ararth and D'Callan and nodded a silent thank you.

[Omra]

Korridan and Hooch pounded rhythmically at the metal Shields and gauntlets before them.  The deafening sounds they created masked the approach of the two security personnel and their burden.

Shyn waved her arms in an effort to get the attention of her mentor and friend, "Hey guys!"  The ear damaging noise slowed to a stop as the men both looked up from their labors.  Korridan was taken back by the form fitting assault uniform that Shyn wore far too well for his comfort.  She smiled at him and playfully twirled showing off her ensamble, "So, what'dya think?"  She struck a farcical model like pose and beamed with delight.

The Elloran accompanying her groaned and rolled her eyes.

The bearded mountain man sensing his friends discomfort attempted to disarm the situation.  Feigning alarm he shouted, "OH MY STARS AND GARTERS; ARE WE BEING BOARDED!?!?"  Shyn's prideful visage shattered, "What?"  She shook her head and blinked in confusion, "No, what makes you think that?"

The Hillbilly kept his face deadpan, "Well, the way you were dressed I thought you were here to repel invaders."  The Elloran standing behind Shyn erupted in laughter, vigorously slapping the crates on her gravsled.  The Phen'rell glared at her; and while she was turned away, Korridan and Hooch exchanged a nervous and humorous look.  They both turned their heads back in time to present innocent expressions, when Shyn whipped her suspicious gaze back in their direction.

Deciding to change the subject Shyn asked, "So what are you doing?"  Hooch grunted picking up his shield and left Korridan to fend for himself, while he headed off into another part of the Fabrication Shop to stain and age the shield.  Korridan held up the gauntlet he had been working on, "we are aging all of the armor and weapons the insertion teams will be using, making them look used and battle worn."

The Elloran began loudly drumming her fingers on the crates impatiently.  Shyn did her best to ignore her.  Korridan politely asked, "So what brings you here?"  Shyn jerked a thumb in the direction of the gravsled loaded down with crates, "We are stocking all of the shuttles with emergency/survival kits and hand phasers."

The Elloran cleared her throat, "Speaking of which..."  Tired of waiting on Shyn she began pushing her burden toward the rear of the Shuttle Bay.  Shyn ignored the icy glare she received, and smiled at Korridan, "any chance we will be sparring again soon?"  Korridan shrugged, "Perhaps when the holodecks aren't so busy, we can start again..."

Shyn smiled, "Cool."  She then broke into a sprint to catch up with her associate.  When the Phen'rell was fully out of sight the old ex trapper could be heard softly saying, "hmmmm, 'Sparring' so that's what the kid's these days are calling it..."  Korridan started, and then turned toward the grinning moonshiner, "we are just friends..."

The dirty faced mechanic just smiled a devilish grin, "That's how it always starts..."

Korridan scowled and wagged the gauntlet at him accusingly, "I know what your trying to do," he leaned closer for emphasis, "and it isn't going to work..."  Hooch did his best to look innocent and hurt, and then placed a index finger to his chest a pouted, "who; me?"

Korridan tried to return to his work but found it hard to concentrate, and working with tools when you are distracted is down right dangerous.  He could feel Hooch's mirth filled eyes drinking in his discomfort, he groaned in frustration and whirled to face Hooch; who was already looking at him with a bemused expression.  Jabbing a finger in his direction, "Your just trying to get even with me for those mushrooms I put in your toolbox..."

Hooch just smiled smugly, "Sure prayer boy," his white teeth a sharp contrast to his dirty face, "you just keep telling yourself that..."

The Bajoran turned back around and tiredly leaned on his bench and stared at the breastplate before him, his reflection mocking him in its mirrored finish.  He exhaled loudly, and then mused aloud in a toned tinged with puzzlement and wonder, "But she is half my age..." His face scrunched up, "or at least I think she is... I don't know... I have no other Phen'rells to judge her by..."

Hooch silently chuckled at his friends predicament.  Korridan turned back to him, "and; she has... fangs..."

Hooch grinned widely, and stated matter of factly, "Show me a woman who doesn't."

They booth laughed heartily.

[X]

Taking a deep breath, Lieutenant James continued on his path to sickbay. He was required to take a physical and had postponed it for far too long. A part of him didn't mind the intrusion into his personal space, but he was also constantly worried about the wrong person getting their hands on his or Aria's nanites.

The doors to the sickbay opened and Aeric entered a little more slowly than usual. Judging by the number of people inside, it seemed that he was not the officer that had delayed the physical.

"Now who do I see about this physical?" Aeric asked aloud to one of the passing blue shirts.