Mission One --- Encounter At Farpoint...

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Deanna Troi:
    As we near the planet I don't need anyone to tell me that we are getting closer.  It isn't just the increase in simbiants that I can feel, it's him...  I feel a little apprehensive now, as the time to face him draws closer.  Maybe I should have told the captain of our history.  Maybe I should have written him...  It's too late now.  In just a few more minutes we will be picking up the new first officer of the starship Enterprise, Cdr. William T. Riker - Imzadi...
    I walk out of my office, unable to sit still any longer, even using the ancient techniques to control my thoughts and emotions.. Perhaps if I were not half-human it would be easier...  I walk onto the bridge and take my seat to the captain's left.  On the outside I know I look completely calm, as if nothing in the universe could bother me, but on the inside my mind is
racing...

Tasha Yar:
    What an awesome resonsibility. Here I stood aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise, the flagship of Starfleet, as the Chief Security Officer. Nervous doesn't begin to describe how I feel, but I am ready for this assignment. I have prepared well and I have a top rate security team. Most importantly, i am serving under one of most well respected men in Starfleet, Captain Jean Luc
Picard. Leaders like Jean Luc Picard and ships like the Enterprise were the stuff legends were made of and I was part of it. Feeling quite proud of myself, I let a smile show on my face.
    I check the sensor readings for the millionth time since that damnable  entity, Q infiltrated my ship and played with us toys. Luckily, there was no sign of him. We weren't even a full compliment yet and we had already encountered our first enemy, and our first security risk. I had to be better prepared for his next visit, and I knew there would be a next one.
    The planet nears sensor range just as Deanna Troi, the exotic looking Betazed who is the ship's counselor enters the bridge. As she takes her seat next to the Captain, I notice how remarkably graceful she is. The woman is quite striking in her physical beauty and has a presence that is...well, difficult to describe unless you have witnessed it. I look forward to
getting to know her and the others. I break my attention away from her as my console beeps its readiness to view the planet.
    "The planet is in sensor range, Captain," I say.
    "On screen, Lt. Yar," he says sternly with that beautiful French accent of his. I pause, but only for a moment on the unfamiliar controls, and the blue-green planet appears on the viewscreen.
    I am transfixed by the planet which holds our destination, Farpoint Station. There we will pick up the rest of our crew.
    Staring at the slowly spinning globe, I suddenly feel something. I wasn't a telepath by any means, but I got a strange feeling from the planet. Willis Cather, my superior officer at my last assignment, used to call such feelings a vibe. This VIBE I feel concerns me. As I look at the planet on the viewscreen, I can't help but think there's much more to Farpoint Station
then meets the eye.

Troi:
    As we near the planet I don't need anyone to tell me that we are getting closer.   It isn't just the increase in simbiants that I can feel, it's him...   I feel a little apprehensive now, as the time to face him draws closer.   Maybe I should have told the captain of our history.   Maybe I should have written him...   It's too late now.   In just a few more minutes we will be picking up the new first officer of the starship Enterprise, Cdr. William T. Riker - Imzadi...
    I walk out of my office, unable to sit still any longer, even using the ancient techniques to control my thoughts and emotions.. Perhaps if I were not half-human it would be easier...   I walk onto the bridge and take my seat to the captain's left.   On the outside I know I look completely calm, as if nothing in the universe could bother me, but on the inside my mind is racing...

Picard:
    We are nearing the Farpoint station, and I am anticipating meeting my first officer, WilliamRiker. I have recently had a conversation with him, as he is awaiting our arrival on Farpoint station. I have heard good things about him, and am quite eager to see what he is capableof. We are also recieving two other crew members at the station, our head engeneer, Geordi, and head of our medical staff, Beverly Crusher, who I've had the priviledge to know from past events. I've been informed that we are now in orbit, and will be transporting down. I hope that all goes well, and that we can win Q's game

Deanna:
    "Captain, I suggest taking a small security complement and a scientific team to investigate. We still don't have a lot of information on the inhabitants." I suggest, fully intending to join the crew that beams down myself.

Lt. K'lara:
    OOC: Hello all! ^_^ Just thought I should mention, to minimize any confusion, that I'll be playing a character of my own, K'lara, of Vulcan descent, Security Dept. *switchs IC*

    A trim but confident Vulcan-appearing being clad in a Starfleet jumpsuit of Security's colors steps through the turbolift doors about the time Deanna Troi speaks to the captain about the away team. K'lara walks over quietly to Tasha Yarr's position, folds her arms behind her back, and nods quietly to Yarr, waiting calmly for a chance to speak.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard:
    "Yes, Deanna, make it so, and have Lt. K'lara join you, she may be of service to you, if all our suspicions are correct, and this station is not what it's made up to be.  If there are no further matters to discuss, I'll resign to my ready room."
    Picard stood and tugged at his uniform vest, "Cmdr. Data, you have the bridge."

Deanna:
    "Thank you, Captain. I'm sure we can get to the bottom of this in the timeQ has alloted." I nod forLt. K'lara to join me as I head into the turbo lift.

Lt. K'lara:
    K'lara nods trimly and follows Troi out into the Turbolift.

Deanna:
    I try to keep my mind off of the first officer and what his reaction mightbe when he learns that I am a member of the crew. I turn my attentioninstead to the young security officer, "This is certainly turning out to bean interesting. Our first assignment and we've already been introduced to anew life form. What are your thoughts on this Q and it's remark'sconcerning Farppoint Station?"

Lt. K'lara:
    K'lara quirks a brow up as she waits for the Turbolift to reach the transporter level, "A.. quite illogical and suspecious being. And I might add, somewhat unusual. As for the Farpoint Station and Q's remarks... If I were human, you might say I would be apprehensive."

Deanna Troi:
    "Well I am human, or half human anyway, and I am apperhensive." I say justas the turbolift doors open. I step out and start toward the transporter room. Apperhensive about more than just Q and Farpoint Station, I think to myself.

Lt. K'lara:
    The youngish Vulcan steps out after, "I do not doubt that." She says after a few moments, tucking her hands behind her back again, and then steps through with Troi into the transporter room.

Troi:
    We beam down to the planet. As soon as we materialize I sense thatsomething isn't right. I can't tell exactly what it is, but there is anintense feeling of saddness. I try to push it away and concentrate on themission. "Which way is it to the station, Lt?"

Lt. K'lara:
    K'lara glanced around her as soon as she reassembled on the planet's surface. At Troi's inquiry she glanced down at her tricorder, then pointed off to the left, "A short distance to the South, counselor."

Troi:
    "Alright. Let's see what we can find out."

Lt K'lara:
    K'lara nods, then turns and walks with the rest of the away team toward where the station should be.

Geordi:
    The two women stood in the courtyard, their eyes scanning the area as if in search of something or someone.
    I hurried to them, "Are you from the Enterprise?" I asked directing my question at the dark eyed, dark haired woman who I believe was named Troi. I had spent much of the past 2 days getting acquainted with the background of the senior staff.
    She startled as if I had sneaked up on her and yelled boo. She blinked several times and slowly and simply said, "Yes."
    The heat patterns of her body were awkward. I could tell that she was worried and/or stressed about something. "I'm Geordi LaForge. I'm the Enterprise's helmsman."

Deanna Troi:
    "Right.. Lt LaForge. I've read your files. Deanna Troi, counselour." Ismile and offer him my hand as I try to push away the uneasy feeling I'm getting from the station. "Have you seen any of the others we are meeting here?" Will... ? Stop it Deanna. There aer more important things to focuson right now.

Lieutenant K'lara:
    K'lara merely stood by and watched the exchange of greetings. She nodded briefly to Lt. LaForge before tucking her hands behind her back and glancing around the courtyard again.

Geordi:
    I nodded to the Vulcan lieutenant and answered Troi, "Yes, Counselor. I met Doctor Beverly Crusher, CMO among others." I paused then said, "I thought we were leaving as soon as the Enterprise arrived. Why are you two here on the surface? Does it have anything to do with the unusual energy patterns eminating from the planet?" I wasn't sure I needed to explain the abilities of my VISOR, but I had noticed the massive amounts of energy seeming to come from the planet's surface. Groppler Zorn had explained the peculiarity as a mere planetary oddity. For some reason, I didn't believe him.

Natasha Yar:
    Lt. K'Lara was the best person of my staff to lead the away team. I trusted her as I trust myself, yet I felt uneasy having her on the planet. I wanted to be down there finding out the mystery of this station myself. Perhaps I would have to work on feeling comfortable with delegating the work load. God knows there would be enough adventure for everybody and then some.  After all we were on the Enterprise, the flag ship of all of Starfleet.
    Aboard the Enterprise, things were quiet. Captain Picard waited patiently in his chair for a report from the away team. I occasionally monitored the away team's position, but there was nothing new to report there either. I drummed my fingers on the console which brought the attention of the Klingon manning science station 1. I smiled politely. He returned my politeness with a skowl, but what did I expect from a Klingon?
    It was then that my console beeped. I jerked to attention and studied the information that was flooding my console. "Captain!" I called, "something is happening."
    “Lieutenant, report,” Picard spun to face me.
    “There’s some sort of energy radiating from beneath the station and the old bandi city.  It’s biological.”  I said.  My heart pounded fiercely.
     “Biological?” Picard wondered aloud.
     “Captain, recommend we get our people off the planet.”  Lt. Commander Data chimed in, “The biological energy is breaking up the planet’s crust with its emergence.”
     The Captain paused only briefly, “Picard to all transporter rooms.  Begin
evacuation of the planet.”

Geordi:
    "Counselor, something's happening," I said as the unusual energy readings from the planet spiked. I involuntarily stepped backward as the ground suddenly began to tremble, then bulge,then to break apart.
    "What is THAT?" the Betazed touched my shoulder as we watched in awe as an enormous glowing creature began to climb from the cracks in the soil of the station.
    People began to run and scream as their houses were destroyed and the ground where they stood opened.
    "Lt. K'Lara to Enterprise." the woman's face was remarkable calm in the face of such an awesome sight, "Three to beam up."
    We waited in anticipation of the transporter beam which didn't come.
    "Lieutenant, we have to get out of here. That...THING is destroying the city." I said as we watched more and more of the iridescent being slither from its catacomb. We all backed away keeping our eye on the event.
    The ground continued to swell and crack beneath our feet. The creature's large tendrils stretched across the surface of the planet feeling and stretching and destroying in blindingly swift movements.
    Our slow retreat turned into all out running as the creature rose from the surface and levitated several hundred meters above the planet's. We turned simulataneously and watched the creature which dwarfed the Enerprise by a factor of 20 pulse with a carnival of color and light.
    "Enterprise," Lt. K'Lara tried again, "This is Lt. K'Lara. Three to beam up." she paused for a moment, "There is no signal. The Enterprise cannot hear us."
    I swallowed hard and stared in bewilderment at the Vulcan. I hadn't expected the adventure to begin so soon.

Ensign Tymen Haim:
    There was chaos. People screamed and ran as the ground split beneath their feet. I fled from the restaurant literally seconds before one of the creatures tendrils slapped down onto the roof, flattening the Bandi eatery.  I could hardly believe what my eyes were seeing. Some sort of creature was emergeing from beneath the Bandi city. "Why hadn't Starfleet detected it?"
I asked myself as I considered exactly how I was going to get out of this alive.  I watched transfixed as the beasts hulking arms grappled for leverage. "By the prophets!" I exclaimed as one of the arms slithered toward me and whipped into the air above me. I felt the ground rumble as the arm crashed down only a couple of meters from me. I dived and rolled coming down hard on my shoulder. Was this how I would meet my death? After surviving the labor camps on Bajor and torture from the Cardassians, I would be killed by an oversized squid? I would never get to serve aboard the Enterprise or meet the infamous Captain Jean-Luc Picard. The Enterprise was only my second assignment since the academy, but what an assignment! It seemed my dreams were being fulfilled and quashed simultaneously.
    My reverie was broken by the tickle of a transporter beam enveloping my body. "
    Bridge, the creature is emitting some sort of electrostatic energy which is blocking the transporter," I heard the transporter officer say as I appeared in the transporter chamber with 2 other Starfleet officers and several Bandi civilians.
    "Your shoulder. Are you hurt?" I turned to see a most lovely red haired human woman standing behind me examining my shoulder. I glanced down at my torn uniform and the bloody gash beneath it. I hadn't noticed the injury.
    "I...I don't know," I stammered, looking into her beautiful green eyes.
    "I'm Dr. Beverly Crusher," she said "let me get you to sickbay." she led me out of the transporter room.

Ro Laren:
    “Enterprise, this is Lt. Ro requesting an emergency beam out!” I yell over   the screams of people and the destruction of buildings.
    “Enterprise, do you read me? This is Lt. Ro requesting emergency beam out!”   I repeat ducking for cover and dodging people.

Yar:
    I shook my head in futility. There was no way we were getting anymore people off the surface. The creature was levitating nearly 2 kilometers above the surface of the planet and charging the atmosphere with some sort of electrostatic energy.
    "Captain, 116 crewmembers are reported unaccounted for. We were able to get 330 Bandi off the planet before the creature blocked our transporter beam."  I reported.

Geordi:
    The creature was floating 2 or 3 kilometers above the heart of the Bandi city. It seemed to pulse with energy as it reflect every color on the spectrum. Its tendrils floated beneath its saucer-shaped body waving as if in a gentle breeze. I was reminded of a jellyfish as I watched it.
    I glanced at Troi and K'Lara and muttered, "What now?"

Troi:
    "It's anger seems to be directed directly at the station rather then theplanet at large. We need to get as far away as possible..." I shout overthe noise all around us.

Geordi:
    "Anger? Anger for what?" I questioned. The creature seemed to be awakening from some sort of dormant period, not exacting revenge. Why was it angry, and why at the Bandi who seemed to be one of the most docile races I'd ever met.
    We slowly continued our retreat. As we moved to the outter perimeter of the city, we witnessed the destruction and devistated city. Some of its inhabitants huddled in groups crying out in fear while others tended to those wounded during the creature's emergence. My heart filled with empathy for those poor people, but there was nothing we could do for them. At least not from the surface. We were as helpless as they.
    "You are Starfleet," an elderly man approached us and reached out his hand grabbing the fabric of my uniform and pulling.
    "Yes, yes, we are." I answered trying to console the sobbing man.
    "My home is destroyed. My family, my home..." he rambled gesturing to a flattened dwelling.
    I grabbed his shoulders and looked into his eyes, "Sir, you need to move your family and yourself out of the city. The creature is angry and that anger is directed at the city. Do you understand what I'm telling you?" the man sniffed and seemed to suddenly become lucid. He hurried away signaling wildly for the people standing nearby to follow him.
    I nodded to K'Lara and Troi and we continued walking.

Lt. K'lara:
    "I agree," K'lara shouts, as much as a Vulcan will, that is. She checks her tricorder, then points, "I can read some shelter just a ways outside of the Station.. perhaps once we get far enough away from the life form we will be able to contact the Enterprise again."

Troi:
    "I don't know why it's angry. I may even be wrong about what I'm sensing.This life form is so different than anything I've come into contact withbefore.. But I am getting feelings of pain, sorrow, and rage... We need tosee if we can contact any other members of the crew. Our first officer wasstill on the planet..."

Geordi:
    "I don't know why it's angry.  I may even be wrong about what I'm sensing. This life form is so different than anything I've come into contact with before..  But I am getting feelings of pain, sorrow, and rage...  We need to see if we can contact any other members of the crew.  Our first officer was still on the planet..."   Deanna suddenly looked uneasy mentioning Commander   William T. Riker.   The temperature in her face rose visibly.   Unusual, I   though.
    I tapped my communicator, "Here goes,"   I mentally crossed my fingers and   said," Lt. Geordi LaForge to any Starfleet personnel.   Please come in."
    The comm line crackled and then a voice broke over the channel.

Ro:
    "Lt. LaForge, I read you. This is Lt. Ro. What is your position?"

Geordi:
    I smiled feeling relieved that there were others who survived the creatures emergence, "Lt. Ro we are heading to a shelter on the western end of the city. Counselor Deanna Troi, Lt. K'Lara and I are attempting to get out of range of the creatures energy field. We are currently unable to contact the Enterprise." The comm line crackled again. "Lt. Ro are you still there?"
    Our attention was drawn back to the creature as it slowly began to move upward. Its body seemed to pulse more rapidly and the air felt electrically charged. The creature was generating an enormous amount of energy which began to affect the signal from my VISOR.
    "Lt. Ro!" I repeated.

Lt. Ro:
    "LaForge! LaForge! If you can hear me I will try to meet you..." yelling as an exploding power conduit send debris into the air hurling me to the ground.
    "...LaForge!?" I say again regaining my feet.

Geordi:
    The line was dead. I hoped Ro got my message about our location. The creature's power production had increased. Something was about to happen and to make matters worse my VISOR was cutting in and out almost in sync with the pulsing of the creature.
    "How much further to the shelter?" I asked K'Lara. "I think the creature is about to make its move."

Lt. K'lara:
    K'lara had remained emotionless during the brief transmition. At LaForge's inquirey, she checked her tricorder readings. "At a quick pace, about 15 minutes that way," she said, pointing.

Ro:
    “So much for communications” I say to myself as I start to make my way   towards the shelter. I only wish that I wasn’t on the opposite side of town,   man what I wouldn’t give for a shuttlecraft or better yet a transporter. Oh   well no since in complaining when there’s a job to do. The funny thing is   that I haven’t even checked on board and the “fun” is already starting. Just   a few thoughts that are running through my mind while making my way through   the devastated city and not even paying attention to the alien that caused   all of this havoc. The problem at hand now is to try and cross this city and   not get caught up in the rubble. Every now and again I try to hail the   Enterprise. I don’t, know maybe the alien is disrupting the signal. However,   I continue to try.

Yar:
    The perimeter alert sounded on my console."Captain, there are two other creatures entering sensor range," I studied the readings, "They are approximately 2 and a half times the size of the creature on the planet, and heading this way at warp 4." I glanced back at the Klingon then at the viewscreen swallowing hard with anticipation of what would happen next.

Ro:
    Not much farther now, I think to myself. I tap in the Comm badge, “LT. LaForge, can you hear me? This is Lt. Ro, I’m not far from the shelter you mentioned. If you can hear me, please respond.”

Geordi:
    Lt. Ro's broken message came across the comm channel.
    "Lt. Ro this is LaForge. I can hear you. We are moving inside the shelter.  The creature is increasing its power output and We expect some sort of act on its part soon." I glanced at my two companions as I spoke.
    "Counselor, do you sense anything from the creature? What is its intentions?" I asked.

Ensign Tymen Haim:
    My wound was superficial. After a quick once over by our beautiful ship's doctor, I took my post in engineering just in time to see two more creatures approach the planet.
    Their energy signatures were nearly identical to the creature on the planet. I scanned them with every type of scan we had.
    "Lt. Commander Lynch, there is an unusual energy buildup in one of the approaching creatures. If I didn't know better, I'd say the creature was going to fire on us." The words had barely left my mouth when the Enterprise was rattled by an energy charge.

Troi:
    If I were a full telepath perhaps I could answer his question, I think in frustration. "I don't know. All I get is feelings of rage..." HonestlyI'm not even getting that anymore as I have put up all my defensives againstthe growing fear and suffering of the planets people.

Ro:
    "Lt.... is LaFor... can he... ou. ...are moving... the shel... creature... increas...output and... expect...act... part soon." is what I hear from LaForge.
    "This creature is hell on communications." I say to myself. I'm not going to bother to hail him back. Besides, I'm almost to the shelter and I'm assumeing that they made it.
    Just for fun I'll give it a shot. "Lt. LaForge, if your at the shelter, I am about five minutes from your position."

Data:
    "Captain, sensors detect that there is only one lifeform abroad each of those ships, despite their size."

Yar:
    "Confirmed, Captain. Those ships are in a holding pattern over the planet. That shot must have been some kind of warning." I said.
    "...Forge to Enterpr...read me." The voice caught me by surprise. Somehow, someone on the surface had managed to break through the interference.
    "Captain, I'm receiving a communication from the surface. It's one of our people," I worked at my controls for a moment before saying, "I still can't get a transporter lock, however. The creatures energy output had changed yet again. Maybe in reaction to the ships that just entered orbit." I suggested.

Picard:
    "Continue to monitor the energy output.. Is there anyway we can get an away team on that ship? If not by transporter than perhaps shuttlecraft?"

Geordi:
    Lightening flashed across the sky, or at least that's what it appeared to be, and swirled around the body of the creature. Many of the Bandi cried out to their gods praying for deliverance from this pariah. Dozens crowded into the shelter (what we had determined was an emergency shelter).
    The noise level increased exponentially, I barely heard my own words to the Enterprise. I wasn't sure the comm link was still active anyway. I was whipped around from the stampeding people and nearly fell. I took two steps and had nearly regained my balance when a panic-stricken woman crashed into me sending my VISOR spinning off my face. I cried out to Deanna and K'Lara.

Yar:
    On the viewscreen, the Bandi planet flashed with an atmospheric disturbance. The communication from the Enterprise crew member had ended with the screams of dozens of people. Our sensors weren't able to penetrate the atmosphere, so we had no idea what was happening on the surface.
    Perhaps more strangely, the two ships just hang over the planet. Other than taking one shot at us, there had been no action on their part. Our hails had went unanswered as well. What were these ships? It surely wasn't a coincidence they had arrived only minutes after the emergence of the creature. I scanned the ships again. There was an intricate series of corridors on both ships. The ships were large enough to carry thousands and thousands of people yet there was only one lifeform reading coming from each ship. The readings, however, were very generalized, almost like the ships themselves were entities. Was that possible? They appeared to be ships
both from the naked eye and by our sensor sweeps. We were obviously not going to find any answers sitting here and waiting. The creature on the planet could be killing everyone on the surface as we watched. We either had to destroy the creature on the planet or beam over to the ships and search for clues.

Troi:
    I take Geordi's arm, crushed against him in the confusion. "It's okay, Lt. I'm right here. Try to relax... I think most of those who are going toarrive are here already. It should start to calm down."

Picard:
    I shifted in my chair, we had several members of the crew on the surface, their signals hazy with distortion, should I really try to send an away team to a myserious ship? Should I risk losing more of my crew, and on our first mission?
    "Mr. Data, assemble an away team, and transport to the ships.Tasha, fix a lock on the away team members."I sighed, now all I had to do was get my men off the Farpoint Station."Chief O'brian," I said after clicking my comm badge, "Try to establish a lock on our crew down below.""Aye, sir" he answered.And then, there was silence.The whole bridge seemed torn into a hazy existance of their own. They looked tired, stressed and upset at our first struggling attempt. I was too, but I would not let that take me now...not after all this work.

Tymen Haim:
    I had my console programmed to watch the events taking place outside the ship as I worked on finding an opportunity to transport our people off the surface. The ships floated lifelessly off our starboard side. The mystery of their sudden appearance hadn't been solved and I wondered what Captain Picard would do next. I turned my attention back to the creature on the
planet. It had begun to absorb energy, a massive amount. It was disturbing the weather patterns also which was causing tremendous storm fronts to form near the creatures position. Assuming there were survivors on the surface, they were in for some pretty rough weather.

Yar:
    As the away team exited the bridge, I felt the need to protest. I should be part of the away team investigating the ships. I mentally scolded myself. Picard knew what he was doing.
    I continued my efforts to pull the away team back with no avail.
    "Captain, maybe we could send a probe down to the planet's surface fitted with a pattern enhancer. With the boosted signal, I may be able to lock onto at least our people."

Geordi:
    "It should start to calm down." the Betazoid's tone combined with her unusual accent soothed the panic that ensued when I lost my VISOR. She handed the apparatus to me and I put it back on breathing a sigh of relief. Without my VISOR I was totally blind. The sudden hysteria of the Bandi subsided.
    I peered up into the Bandi sky studying the energy patterns of the creature for some clue as to its intent. The energy from the planet seemed to be absorbed by the creature.  Additionally, the creature seemed to grow in size as it imbibed more energy. Should we try communications again or just wait for the Enterprise to do something? I was at a loss.

Tasha:

    <"Captain, maybe we could send a probe down to the planet's surface fitted>with a pattern enhancer. With the boosted signal, I may be able to lock onto at least our people.">

Picard:
    "Make it so, and Tasha, send a subspace frequency to the nearest starship and advise them to come here, and help us evacuate the farpoint station."I stood and headed to my ready room, my movements stiffled with jittered nerves. No one on the bridge noticed, and I was thankful of that. What would it do to help my crew, if they thought the captain was not sure of himself.

Riker:
    "Enterprise, this is Commander Riker. If you can hear this, Zorn has been transported somewhere. Enterprise, are you responsible for this transport? Please respond and beam me up, if you can. Riker out."

Data:
    " Aye aye Sir" replied Data on Captain Picard's order to lead the away team over to one of the alien ships. He indicated for Ltnt Worf the Klingon  aboard the Enterprise to join him. As they entered the turbo lift Data tapped his comm. badge and ordered ... =^= Ltnts Smithers and Royerz to transport room 2 immediately please =^= Data and Worf made their way in silence to the transporter room .... being a spanking new crew most of the members did not know each other ... and this was one of those awkward moments .... Worf looked  a tad uneasy - could he be thinking 'Just what is this android machine and who does it think it is doing giving orders, ... most importantly it has no sense of honor.'
    The away team arriving, Data glances at the man at the transporter controls, "Chief activate the transporter" Moments later they were standing in a strange corridor and immediately began scanning the area. "Set your phasers to level 6" ordered Data, "follow me." Looking at the Klingon he asked .. "Ltnt Worf what do you make of these readings" ...... Worf frowned and replied "We appear to have two life forms now, one seems to be somehow around us, but the other is up ahead towards the center of the vessel.. this new ones shows up as a Bandi" Data tapped his comm. badge =^=Captain, we seem to be detecting two life forms now ...... one of them appears to be the ship itself. The other appears to be Bandi ..... we will attempt to investigate.=^= Captain Picard acknowledged this immediately, =^= Proceed with caution Commander, the Bandi lifeform might be Zorn, he has disappeared from the planet surface.=^= =^= Thank you Captain =^= Data replied.
    The away team proceeded down the corridor towards the signal the tricorder gave them of the Bandi lifeform.As they advanced they began to hear sounds of someone in pain growing louder ...... they quickened their pace and came to a open area ..... a Bandi presumably Zorn was being attacked, apparently by the ship as brilliant beams of energy were shooting out from the walls at all angles onto him.The Bandi appeared in great pain..... and was pleading for mercy.
    Data ordered his companions with a glance to stand back ..... =^= Captain, the Bandi lifeform presumably Zorn is being attacked by the ship which appears also to be alive ..... what do you wish us to do ? =^=

Picard:

<"Enterprise, this is Commander Riker. If you can hear this, Zorn has been transported somewhere. Enterprise, are you responsible for this transport? Please respond and beam me up, if you can. Riker out.">

    The door to my ready room slid open as I heard those muffled words, and I spun around. I could recognize that voice, crackling from the communication link; it was Riker, my first officer."Lieutenant Yar, try sending a message down Comdr Riker. Inform him to round about all the senior officers on the surface, and see if they can use their emergency transport armbands, to create a force field that will cut through the interference."

Yar:
    "Aye sir." I answered. Engineering was working on fitting a probe with a pattern enhancer. They estimated 20 more minutes until it would be ready. Would out people on the surface survive that long?
    Without hesitation, I opened a comm channel to the surface, "Commander Riker, this is Lt. Yar. Can you read me?" There was no response. I programmed my console to send a repeating message until he received it.

Geordi:
    I did a doubletake as the woman came into view through the scores of people that crowded arond the emergency shelter. On first glance I knew she was Bajoran, dark haired, and by the scowl on her face, not happy to be here. I called to her, "Lieutenant!" she turned to face me.

Tymen Haim:
    "That should do it," I told Lt. Commander Lynch as I fastened the plate back onto the probe. I placed the probe into the launch tube and shut the door. Turning, I nodded to Lynch.
    Lynch tapped his communicator, "Bridge, this Leland T. Lynch, the probe is ready for launch."
    "Understood, Lt. Commander," came Lt. Yar's reply.

Riker:
   

    "Riker here, go ahead Lt.", No response. "Enterprise, go ahead."

Ro:
    Peering through the throng of panicked people, I see a dark skinned man in a Starfleet uniform with something over his eyes.
    “Lt. LaForge!?” I yell as I make my way towards him.

Yar:
    The probe cleared the hull of the Enterprise and angled downward toward the planet. The bridge crew watched intently as it entered the atmosphere. The signal was strong with only minor interference. With luck, in a few moments we would be able to beam out people off the planet.

Picard:
=^= Captain, the Bandi lifeform presumably Zorn is being attacked by the ship which appears also to be alive ..... what do you wish us to do ? =^= >

    Data's question sent a sense of concern through me. Should we stand by and watch the Zorn be eliminated, or should we protect it, even after all it had done. This was one instant I could have really used counsellor Troi on the bridge."Mr Data, see if you can disable the energy pulses." I stood, and tugged at my uniform."Tasha, how is the probe coming along?"

Yar:
    "The probe is just entering the atmosphere, Captain. I'm receiving some weak signals..." I paused, "Yes, I'm picking up some comm badges. Attempting to lock on with transporters."

Geordi:
    "Lt., Lt. Ro, very nice to meet you. This is Counselor Deanna Troi and Lt. K'Lara." nods were exchanged between the women, "We are having problems contacting the Enterprise. Do you have any suggestions?"

Ro:
    “I’m not much of an Engineering type, but what if we were to “hook-up” each   of our comm. badges to try to generate a stronger signal. If we generate a   stronger signal the Enterprise might be able to lock onto it.”

Yar:
    Riker's voice broke through. How long would this link last?
    "Commander we are attempting to send a probe down to strengthen the transporter signal. Have all personnel activate their comm badges. do you read Commander?" I waited for his response.

Data:
    <"Mr. Data, see if you can disable the energy pulses." I stood, and tugged at my uniform.
"Tasha, how is the probe coming along?">

    =^= Data to Enterprise, assuming that the ship **is** alive, I am unsure how to initiate communications with it. Normal locutory communication does not appear to produce an effect for reasons as yet not discernible ... maybe the Enterprise can communicate with it, or Counselor Troi telepathically. There **is** another choice of locking the transporters on him and beaming Zorn out of here, but the entity may turn against the Enterprise. =^=

Riker:
    <"Commander we are attempting to send a probe down to strengthen the transporter signal. Have all personnel activate their comm badges. do you read Commander?" I waited for his response.>
    "Understood Enterprise, Riker out." I stand in thought for a moment.
    Tapping the comm. badge, "Riker to all surface Star Fleet personel, turn on your comm. badges and leave the signal open. The Enterprise is trying to get a transporter lock." Leaving the comm. signal open, I wait.

Troi:
    I hear Will's voice and visably relax. He's okay... "Any personnel who's communicators are not functioningneed to ensure they stay close to the group."

Lt. Commander Santiago:
    After recieving Riker's message Lt. Cmdr. Santiago activated his communicator and then continued to search for shelter while at the same time taking tricorder reading on the creature and helping several children he had found during his search for safety.
    Speaking into his comm badge: Anyone who can hear me I am the Chief Science Officer of the USS Enterprize can someone give me an update of what is happening?

Geordi:
    Riker to all surface Star Fleet personel, turn on your comm. badges and leave the signal open. The Enterprise is trying to get a transporter lock." we heard Riker say over out comm badges. I glanced at Lt. Ro then at K'Lara who stood emotionless and quiet next to Troi.
    "What about these people? We may be able to escape, but what about them?" I
asked.

Yar:
    The probe sank low enough in the atmosphere for a lock on several crew members comm signals. I activated the beam. With the boosted gain I was able to lock onto 6 crew members, but I lost 2 during transport and had to put them back on the planet.
    "Lieutenant, we have 4 crew members aboard and safe," Ensign Merron reported from her station in transporter room 2.
    The voice of Lt. Commander Santiago crackled across my comm line, "Anyone who can hear me I am the Chief ScienceOfficer of the USS Enterprize can someone give me an update of what ishappening?"
    "Hang tight, Santiago. We'll have you up in a minute," I said.

Santiago:
    "Hang tight, Santiago. We'll have you up in a minute,"
    I heard the voice of Tasha Yarr say. "Good, I have several children with me some are Bandi, but most are from families that where going to join the Enterprize. What should I do about them?"
    Turning once again to my tricorder I noticed how the energy signals and the creatures visible light flucuated. "Enterprize has anyone made any progress with trying to translate either the creatures energy emissions or its visible light display?"

Yar:
    "...I have several children with me some are Bandi, but most are from familiesthat where...join the Enterprize. What should I do...? Enterprize has anyone made any progress with trying to translate either the creatures energy emissions or its visible light...?" Santiago said, his voice harried.
    "We have an away team on one of two ships that has entered orbit around the planet, sir. Our hope is they will give us some idea why the creature was beneath the Bandi city and why it's hoovering on the surface,"
    I frowned. We hadn't taken into account the children from the Enterprise. They were not given communicators as a matter of protocol. I didn't want to tell our chief science officer that, for now, we could only save those with communicators, and the interference was still too strong to widen the transporter beam to encompass more than one person. I bit my lip then said, "You'll have to give up your comm badge, Sir. Perhaps if the children huddle close together, I could lock onto two children per communicator, but it will be tricky."

Santiago:
    Santiago frowned as he learned of the communication troubles that plagued the ship that was their only hope. "Enterprise have you tried to send down a shuttlecraft? How far does the interference extend, would it be possible to walk out in a reasonable amount of time?"
    He was then struck with an idea, since communicators work with anything they are in contact with it might work. He knelt on the ground and began issueing orders to the children around him, soon he had a child on his back one sitting on each arm and one holding on around his neck. "Enterprise I have an expermint, prepare to abort transport at any sign of a problem, get
ready."
    He slowly stood up and prepared himself and his charges for what he hoped wasn't a quick death. "Lock onto this comm badge and beam up five, energize!"

Geordi:
    "What about these people? We may be able to escape, but what about them?" I had asked. No one had the answer to my question, however, the Bandi seemed to be resourceful people and able to take care of themselves. They surely would be able to manage until we could figure out the mystery of this creature.

Yar:
    "Lock onto this comm badge and beam up five, energize!"

    "Stand by Lt. Commander," I attempted to beam them all up, but the transporter would not encompass them. I tried again to no avail. The goal was to beam up as many people as possible in a short time period. I had to move on to others. "I'm sorry, Santiago. We're still working on the problem. We'll get back to you."

Santiago:
    "It's all right, you did your best. Keep trying, my little group will head to a concentration of comm badges I've detected." He puts the children down and begins walking toward the signal which he knows means Starfleet and hopes means safety.
    After some walking his small group does arrive into what appears to be an emergency shelter. They begin moving through the crowd toward a few figures in Starfleet uniform. Santiago notices a Vulcan among them and almost automatically puts his left hand into the Vulcan greeting "I would wish you peace and long life, but at the moment it would appear we are to have neither."

Riker:
    "Enterprise, this is Riker. Was the probe experiment a sucess? How many crew members did you transport? I'm going to try to gather up more of the crew here on the surface. Keep me informed, Riker out." I finish and start heading for the emergency shelter I've heard about.

K'lara:
   

    K'lara archs an eyebrow at Santiago and his group's appearance, returning the Vulcan greeting. "Indeed, Lt. Commander," she says, glancing around at the destruction. "It would seem we do not have much time left if the Enterprise can not lock onto all of us soon," she looks at the non-Starfleet group, "Perhaps if the Starfleet personnel were to stand in a uniform pattern and each to stay in physical touch of those without comm badges, the Enterprise could lock onto the concentrated signal of all of us together."

Troi:
    "That's a large group. Several Starfleet personnel lost or damaged their comm badges in the destruction. I don't see anything else for us to try,unless someone has a shuttlecraft hidden in their back pocket..."

Ro:
    "I've said it before, I'll say it again. What I wouldn't give for a shuttlecraft." I say smiling to Troi. Then an idea crosses my mind.
    Santiago, would there be anyway that you could use your tri-corder to boost the comm signal of the communicators that do work? Kind of use the tri-corder to create an all encompassing field or something."

Yar:
    <"Enterprise, this is Riker. Was the probe experiment a sucess? How many crew members did you transport? I'm going to try to gather up more of the crew here on the surface. Keep me informed, Riker out.">

    "Commander, this is Lt. Yar. We are still encountering interference with locking onto comm badges. We are beaming people off, but it's a slow process." I said. I worked at my console locking onto 7 individuals and then losing them seconds before energizing the beam. This was damned frustrating.
    "Captain, recommend sending shuttlecraft to the surfce to retrieve our people and the Bandi."

Yar:
    While I waited for Picard to make his decision on the shuttlecraft, I contacted engineering, "Engineering this is Lt. Yar. I' m detecting a large group of communicators on the west side of the city. Can you angle the probe in that direction and perhaps lower its altitude another 100 meters?"

Tymen:
    "Lt. Yar this is Ensign Tymen. The probe was not meant to hoover on a planet's surface, as a matter of fact, we are having trouble holding its current altitude. Sending the probe down further could cause it to spiral to the surface and crash, but we can try."

Lt. J.G. Worf:
    Zorn floated in mid-air writhing and yelping as his body was buffeted with energy. He was being tortured by an unseen enemy.
    "Sir, according to my tricorder, Zorn is near death. We have to do something now," I turned to my android superior for his response.

Riker:
    <"Commander, this is Lt. Yar. We are still encountering interference with locking onto comm badges. We are beaming people off, but it's a slow process." I said. I worked at my console locking onto 7 individuals and then losing them seconds before energizing the beam. This was damned frustrating.>

    "Understood Lt., keep trying. I can see the shelter from where I'm standing and should be there shortly. Keep me informed. Riker out." I say closing the distance to the shelter.

Santiago:
    "I will attempt to modify my tricorder to serve to boost the communicator signals."
    "I also have a backup plan to increase the comm badges power. Ro, collect the nonfunctioning comm badges and find someone who can remove the power cells. If the power cells can be attached to other communicators the extra power could increase the signal."
    "Lt. K'lara you are the senior security officer present, correct? Form a security detail and search for the Starfleet personell who are not present in this shelter and bring them here."
    "Enterprise, have the aliens shown signs of sentience? If they have rescueing the Bandi may be a violation of the Prime Directive since this appears to be a conflict between two non-Federation groups."

Troi:
    I turn to the science officer as Ro asks her question. "I'm open to any possibilities at this point..."

Data:
    =^= Captain, the entity has killed Zorn, there was nothing we could do. I recommend it would be safer for us to return to the Enterprise. Permission for us to beam back =^=

Ro:
<"I also have a backup plan to increase the comm badges power. Ro, collect the nonfunctioning comm badges and find someone who can remove the power cells. If the power cells can be attached to other communicators the extra power could increase the signal.">

"Aye, Sir. Lt. LaForge, will you help me with the removal of the power cells?"

Geordi:
    Lt. Ro and I begin walking through the crowd inquiring about comm badges. I had collected 5 when, above our heads, the probe came into sight. "That probe won't go that low in the atmosphere. I wouldn't be surprised if it crashed," I commented.

Ro:
    "Lets just hope that it doesn't land on us." I say handing him a dead comm badge.

Yar:
    I cursed but not loudly enough for any of the bridge crew to hear. The probe was losing altitude too fast and would surely crash soon. I maybe had one more attempt to beam people off the surface. I targeted the large group of people near the west end of the city and energized the beam. As I waited for Ensign Merron's confirmation that we had people off the surface, my
focus was redirected. On the viewscreen, one of the creatures began moving downward toward the planet's surface.
    "Captain!" I screamed pointing as the blue-gray ship spiralled downward into the planet's atmosphere and toward our people.

Santiago:
    Santiago had finally finished the tricorder modifications and activated the device, when the calls of several people made him look up into the sky. Searching through his bag, amazed he had been able to keep track of it during the past few hours, he retrieved a set of binoculars. Putting the binoculars to his eyes the auto focus magnified the probe and then the alien moving in behind it.
    "This could be a problem" he muttered to himself, as the effects of a transporter beam took its hold on him.

Data:
=^= Enterprise PLEASE beam us back, were all done here .... don't leave us to fry ! =^=

Worf:
    Data and I appeared in the chamber of transporter room 4. My first thought was why? Transporter room 4 was rarely used except in case of emergency. There must be something happening...
    "Sir, one of the ships has made a move toward the planet," the lieutenant at the transporter controls reported. We needed to get to the bridge immediately.
    The way Zorn died had no honor I thought as we strode down the corridor. His murderer(s) either have deep hatred to kill him in such a manner. Now, they may be turning toward the planet. My Klingon blood boiled, my fists clinched, I felt a growl forming in my guts. I wanted someone to confront, hand to hand, face to face, fist to fist.
    We needed to be on the bridge. The damned turbolift was taking too long. The accursed mechanical humanoid was too quiet.

Data:
    Data, Worf and the two other members of the away team arrived in transporter room 4..... Unusual as this was not the transporter room they had departed from and one not often used .... something must be afoot.
    They headed back to the bridge where they both reoccupied their stations.
    Data looked over his status readouts and seeing that there were still many crew members still on the surface and in danger from the three entities, suggested that they launch an energy absorption device at each of them .... "Captain this would possibly weaken the entities enough to stop their attack and let us beam our crew aboard whilst not actually harming these creatures"
    Picard asked " an energy absorber Mr. Data ? "
    "Yes" Data replied " We would only have to slightly reconfigure a sample probe to draw energy, we can double its effect by integrating a tractor beam. It would be much like the leech much valued in late 19th century medicine that drew the life blood from the patient to reduce fevers... we just take it to an extreme. It could buy us time possibly."

Picard:
    "Make it so, and make sure we get all our crew on board, the last thing we need is casualties on our first mission." I stood again from my chair.  "Mr. Data, you have the bridge." My ready room doors swiftly opened, and I found myself making yet another log, and sending yet another message to starfleet command.

Santiago:
    As Santiago finished beaming aboard he immediatly headed for the Bridge. He arrived in time to hear Data suggest energy draining, and thought over the idea.
    "You realize you run the risk of killing them? Have we even attempted communication? Will the Prime Directive even let us get involved with this situation?"
    He listens for a reply to his enquires while examining his science station. He was an unusual sight: mud and dirt covered turned his blue uniform brown, a equally dirty bag lay beside him on the deck he didn't even stop at his quarters.

Data:
    Data sent the information for adjusting the probe down to engineering ...... they signaled reception of the info guessing at a 5 minute readiness. =^=Data to Captain Picard... probes will be ready to launch in 5 minutes.=^=
    5 min go by ........ [ and other efforts continue ]   =^=Engineering to bridge, all three probes ready to go =^= Data glanced over to where Tasha was standing behind tactile.... "Fire energy probes now ...... and prepare for defensive action if necessary."
    The probes had immediate effect however..... the entities in space ceased their motion .. and the barrage of the city below also ceased. The worrying factor was that the entities were changing colour we did not want to kill them if avoidable ..... 'Better act quickly' thought Data .... =^=All transporter rooms can you get a better lock on our people now=^= The replies all came in positively, the crew would be safely aboard in minutes. The question and skill would then be in what next ! Data : =^= Captain to the Bridge =^=

Santiago:
    Santiago watched as the creatures halted their actions, his attempt to stop it had failed.
    He immediatly started to search the computer for ways to communicate. =^=Engineering, is it possible to duplicate the light patterns those creatures produce, or the types of energy discharges they make?=^=
    Turing to tactical. "Lt. Yar, how long until another starship arrives?"

Dr. Beverly Crusher:
    Location: Deck 12
    *taps comm badge*
    "Crusher to Riker, We have trouble up here! We are in need of medical supplies and we have none left. Please respond...."
    [response]
    "Computer, How many people are in need of level 1 priority Medical Attention?"
    [response]

Yar:
    "Lt. Yar, how long until another starship arrives?"
    I checked my instruments. I had forgotten about sending out a call for any near starship to assist us in evacuating the Bandi from their destroyed city. "The Capricorn is 14 hours out followed by the T'Sat at 22 hours."

Geordi:
    I appeared on the transporter pad thankful to be off the planet's surface.  I wondered what was happening at this moment. I immeditately headed for bridge, but was cut short by Nurse Ogawa.
    "Hold on Lieutenant. We need to check you out before you go to your duty station," she said, her face soft and smiling.
    I started to protest but relented and went to sickbay.

Data:
    Captain Picard entered the bridge from his ready room.
    "Captain" said Data, "The probes worked and we now have all of our people aboard safely. But if we leave the energy probes on much longer the entities will be damaged or killed.We have two other options, shut down the probes and warp out of here...  or shut them down and wait to see what the entities do ... we must however act now as the energy levels of the entities which we can certainly now define as lifeforms are critically low."

Troi:
    I walk onto the bridge, still looking a bit disheaveled from the ordeal.  "Captain, I believe the attacks may have been in retaliation for the imprisonment of the creature beneath the planet.  It seems weaker than the others, which may be why it didn't leave the planet altogether but has stayed close to the surface."

Santiago:
    <"The Capricorn is 14 hours out followed by the T'Sat at 22 hours.">

    "I think they won't be getting here in anywhere near the time we need them. The creature appeared to be drawing energy, could you modify a phaser beam to give energy but not cause harm? Once you do get the Captain's permission to give energy to the creature on the planet, if it wants energy it will get energy."
    =^=Chief Science Offer to Dr. Crusher. Can you design a tracking device to implant into the creatures? It would be a great loss to science to not be able to keep track of them after this is over.=^=

Data:
    "Captain if you decide we disengage and stay, we can restore the entities strength simply by instructing the energy probes to reverse polarity and issue energy back to them ...... whatever subsequent action you decide on I suggest immediate disengagement of the energy-draw beams before we kill these lifeforms."

Yar:
    I regarded the android as he spoke, "...... whatever subsequent action you decide on I suggest immediate disengagement of the energy-draw beams before we kill these lifeforms."
    "Captain, if we disengage those energy probes. We may have 3 lifeforms on our hull in a matter of seconds." I added.

Data:
    "It is a possibility, but considering their present weakened state they may be of little threat to us."

Santiago:
    =^=Chief Science Offer to Dr. Crusher. Can you design a tracking device to implant into the creatures? It would be a great loss to science to not be able to keep track of them after this is over.=^=
    =^=Data, I believe I can but first you must come to science lab 4 and help me with it. Please bring the sensor scans of the alien along with you.=^=

Troi:
    "Are we sure that's a good idea? How does Star Fleet policy stand on this? We are talking about implanting a chip into these creatures without their consent... That goes a little beyond monitoring."

Santiago:
    =^=Dr Crusher, I am not Data. You might want to have the computer's intercom system checked. I will get the data and meet you in science lab 4.=^=
    He then turned to counselor Troi. "I feel you are correct, could you get their permission? Also we have already violated the Directive by interfering in their affairs with the Bandi, the wisest course of action would have been to evacuate our people only and then leave the area."
    "Lt. Yar, please contact the science officers on the T'Sat and Capricorn and transfer the communications to science lab 4. Also call a replacement science officer to the Bridge."
    He then picked up his bag and headed into the turbolift. After a brief stop at his quarters to drop off his personal items he arrived in science lab 4. "Greetings, Dr. Crusher."

Data:
    " I must agree with the Counselor here, what we just did was judged necessary to save our crew in a time of danger .... however how DARE anyone think themselves so superior a lifeform to judge themselves worthy of tagging another for research.... one that is even hypothetically superior to us. How would you feel being tagged and monitored by a species you encounter tomorrow by chance. I want this objection posted in my service record Captain and I ask you to disallow this violation of the entities rights and dignity. We are supposed to have respect for all life. This attitude reawakens the hypocrisy and arrogance of the 20th & 21st centuries ... times best forgotten ! Record whatever you can through the sensors and leave it at that. "

Santiago:
    As Santiago heads for the turbolift he hears Data's comments. "Was that an emotional outburst Mr. Data, I did not think you capable of those."
    "Even though we have violated the directive already one does beget another. I will hold off developement of a tracking device until the Captain can give his input. Meanwhile I would like all resources put to translating the aliens language, if any, and determining why they are acting the way they are. Counselor Troi's previous suggestion about the energy the creature is
drawing to itself is a valid point and any way to give the creature on the planet more energy should be explored."

Data:
    "Indeed, as you all know, I am incapable of emotion .... but I am as capable as anyone or thing of having a rational opinion and extending importance to it."

Geordi:
    Sickbay was a madhouse. There were several injuries, but none were life threatening. I was quickly checked over by a nurse then released considering the medical staff had injuries to attend to. Somehow, however, there had been no fatalities on the surface with the exception of groppler zorn. I privately mourned for the man. Although I had met him only twice, he seemed a kind man, but a little too eager to please. Why had the creature targeted him?
    I pushed the man to the back of my mind, I was due for a duty shift on the bridge in 15 minutes and I hadn't changed my uniform. I hurried to deck 8 where my quarters were located and quickly changed. I took a moment to marvel at the accomodations. They were sparse, but roomy and the view was unbelievable. I assumed all my belongings were still on the surface, possible destroyed, maybe salvageable but not at the moment. Those creatures were still hoovering around held at bay by energy absorbing probes. Who knows what would happen when they were released from the absorption fields. I was eager to get to the bridge and find out what would happen next.

Picard:
    "Disengage the energy probes immediately, Mr Data. Ensign put the enterprise into orbit until we rendevue The Capricorn. I doubt restoring the entities strength will prove helpful in our situation, however a scan of the entities will prove useful if we ever happen to meet with them again." A tug at the shirt, "Yar, send a message to the Capricorn, informing them on our current situation. Now if you will all excuse me, I have a pillow with my name on it, and I suggest, when you are finished with your assignments, that you do the same." The captain left the bridge, the first time it seemed, in eternity.

Riker:
    The Turbolift door to the bridge opens and Commander Riker walks out, uniform and general appearance a mess.
    “Report. Where is the Captain?” I say heading for my station.

Data:
    The Turbolift door to the bridge opens and Commander Riker walks out, uniform and general appearance a mess.
    “Report. Where is the Captain?” I say heading for my station.
    Data rises from the center command seat : "Commander, welcome to the enterprise, Captain Picard has retired to his quarters....we have orders to remain in orbit monitoring the status quo until the USS Capricorn arrives."

Riker:
    “Thank you,“ I say as I take the Command chair.
    “What is the ETA of the Capricorn? What happened to Zorn?” I say trying to   slow down and not bombard the crew with questions.

Data:
    Data sat down next to commander Riker "The estimated arrival of the Capricorn is 14 hours. Sadly Zorn was killed by one of the entities. There is not much to do apart from monitor the situation, if you want to clean up I will hold the situation up here. I do not need rest."

Santiago:
    Santiago had returned to his station once the conversation about the tracking devices had started and now turned to Lt. Yar. "Lt., have we beamed up all crewmembers and families? What are their conditions?"
    He turned to face the rest of the Bridge crew. "Since we can effectively do nothing until the Capricorn arrives I suggest we find out who we are working with. My name is Santiago, I am the ships Chief Science Officer, do to my upbringing I am something of a diplomat and am familiar with many cultures on many worlds. My preferred areas of work are exobiology and
exoanthropolgy, though I do occasionally venture into archeology and space related anomolies."
    After finishing his little speech he looks around the Bridge at the faces looking at him. "Anyone else?"

Troi:
    Standing behind the security position I am mostly blocked from his view when Riker comes on board.  I take a moment while Data answers his question to keep my own thoughts and emotions under control.  Hesitatingly slightly, I step into view, "I believe that Zorn was held responsible for the captivity of the creature on the serfuce, Commander.  I'm not reading any directed towards the Enterprise or any of our people..."

Riker:
    <"clean up I will hold the situation up here. I do not need rest.">

    "That would be great. Give me about 20 minutes, call me if anything happens." I say as I stand from the Command chair.
    Riker walked into the Turbolift, the door closed, and the door opened.
    Walking out of the Turbolift, Riker looks at Data and says “What did you mean Zorn was killed? By what?”

Data:
    " Sir, we beamed over to one of the entities to ascertain its origin, we found it to be a lifeform. Zorn was there and it was torturing him with energy beams .... we did not know how to intervene and Zorn was killed before we could formulate a rescue plan."

Riker:
    <"I believe that Zorn was held responsible for the captivity of the creature on the surface, Commander. I'm not reading any directed towards the Enterprise or any of our people..." Troi>

    Moving back towards the Command chair.
    “Counselor, you say that there is no feelings of hostility towards the Enterprise or her crew. Data reports that Zorn was killed by one of the creatures. So are there feelings of hostility only towards the Bandi peoples? If there are hostile feelings, can you tell what their intentions are? Are the two in space just trying to help the one on the planet or are they getting ready to destroy the planet?”

Tasha:
"Lt., have we beamed up all crewmembers and families? What are their conditions?" Santiago asked.
    "We have all our people off the planet and many of the Bandi though most wanted to stay on the surface, they are a very self-reliant people. There were many injuries, but no fatalities." I reported before Santiago continued.
    "Since we can effectively do nothing until the Capricorn arrives I suggest we find out who we are working with..."

Tymen Haim:
    My duty shift had ended in engineering. I wondered through the corridors of deck 10 exploring the ship that would become my new home. The Enterprise was a beauty, there was no denying that fact. I touched the state-of-the-art comm panels and keypads on each of the doorways I encountered. I enhaled the smell of newness and marveled at the architecture as I sauntered across the deck. My guess was that I had been walking for 10 or 15 minutes when I encountered 10-forward. 10-forward was a new feature on starships designed to be something between a mess hall and a night club and I was anxious to see what it had to offer. I stepped up to the double doorway and the doors slid aside.
    There was scarcely anyone there. A couple of lieutenant's sat sipping drinks at a nearby table, an andorian female ate quietly at a booth, and behind the bar, a dark-skinned woman with an incredibly flamboyant red outfit busied herself with cleaning the bar's already immaculate surface. I nodded to her and she to me before I took a table in the corner of the room. I wasn't interested in eating or drinking, a fact which the dark-skinned woman in the red outfit must have picked up on because she never approached me for an order. I just sat there staring out the portholes at the mysterious planet and the alien creature which floated docilely outside.

Troi:
    "As I said, Sir, I believe they held Zorm personally responsible. Their hostilitie seems greatly reduced at this point, although I admit they mayonly be due to their weakened state. However, I would conclude they aremerely waiting for the one on the surface to gain enough strenghth to jointhem."

Yar:
    I turned to the imposing form of our first officer, "I think the Counselor's correct. The creature had ample opportunity to attack the Enterprise and the people on the surface, but only Zorn was targeted. Maybe the creature on the surface was in some sort of nest and is the two larger creatures' child."

Worf:
    As I listened to the banter of the senior officers, I was reluctant to offer my opinion. Growing up with human parents, I had an insight to humans, but, even in my adulthood, had not managed to conquer interaction with them. Despite my feelings I turned from science 3 and spoke, "The creatures are regaining their strength, perhaps we won't have to wait much longer to find out."

Troi:
    It had been a hard day and I was finding it mentallyand emotionally challanging to stay on the bridge. Myhead ached, but Will's reaction was worse. I wasn't sure precisely what I had expected, and I thesituation certainly didn't call for familiarities, butI couldn't even sense a reaction frmo him at all. Ofcourse it was possible he had been aware I would beaboard and had prepared himself for the moment wewould run into each other. It was also possible thathe had simply forgotten...
    I heard the Klingon speak and turned. It was notdifficult at all to read his emotions. He wasunderstandably uncomfortable in the presence of somany humans, a feeling I could relate to... He wasalso confidant and carried himself with an air ofsuperiority. I smiled encouragingly, "I think you'reright. They are definatly regaining their strength,even the one on the surface. I think we will see someaction on their part soon."

Riker:
    “Interesting… Zorn was the only target, is it possible that Zorn knew about   the creature on the surface?” I say turning to look at the Klingon and Lt. Yar.
    “Continue monitoring the energy increase of the creatures and inform me if   they move towards the ship.” Turning to face the Counselor. “Deann...  Counselor, can you sense, from any of the creatures, that Zorn used them for   his own purposes? Their has to be a reason for the creatures singling Zorn   out. Otherwise the would be destroying the rest of the Bandi population.”

Dr. Crusher:
    =^=Crusher to Picard, Captain could you please come down here to science lab 4 with mr santiago, ASAP? Crusher Out.=^=

Santiago:
    Pardon me Commander, but since we have all of our crew aboard I see no reason to stay longer. Are the Bandi a member world? If they are not the Prime Directive would appear to be in full effect, meaning we should leave the two groups to deal with each other on their own."
    After this conversation he heads for science lab four.

Riker:
    ”The Bandi must be part of the Federation, otherwise why would some of us be   meeting the Enterprise here. Anyway, with the Capricorn only 13 hours out,   it would be best if we stayed to see this through.”

Data:
    " Actually sir the Bandi are still candidates for joining the Federation ..... it just happened to be a good place to meet you all to come aboard and a test of the Bandi's readiness as it would be a good opportunity to meet them once more"
    " Their promise to build a station was to be the test of their technology.... unfortunately someone we think Zorn cheated by trapping the entity here and forcing it into slavery."

Troi:
    "Perhaps if I were fully telepathic I could get that information, but as it is I have no idea why they were so angry with the Bandi, and Zornpaticularly. I can say that their rage seems to have dimenished. Itappears they are simply waiting for the other to get it's strength back."

Riker:
    “How could Zorn enslave one of those creatures? What do we know of Zorn?”
    Turning towards Counselor Troi. “You say that the creatures rage has   diminished and they are waiting for the one on the surface to regain it’s   strength. It seems that, when strength is regained, the creatures may just   leave. Is that a feeling that you might be able to sense? Maybe a feeling of   our work here is done.”

Troi:
    "I can't gaurantee anything, but in my professional opinion I don't think they have any desire to attack us or the planet."

Picard:
    <=^=Crusher to Picard, Captain could you please come down here to science lab 4 with mr santiago, ASAP? Crusher Out.=^=>

    Picard left his quarters and headed down the long halls toward the turbolift. His thoughts were preoccupied with Beverly Crusher...it had been a long time since he had seen her last, and he wondered what things would now be like. Would she remember all those times, all those occasions when they had interacted so closely.The door opened to the science lab, and Picard stepped out, seeing the the full head of red hair, of his chief medical officer... What would things be like now?

Santiago:
    Perhaps we could give the creature on the surface energy? I believe several possibilities are available. Now may I call a replacement? Dr. Crusher would like to see me in science lab four."
    After calling an assistant to the Bridge Santiago walks off and heads for the science lab. As he walks he gazes about struck be the well designed ship, and the size of it.
    Arriving at his quarters he rang the chime, a youngish, around ten, girl answered. "I have a meeting, could you handle the bag?" "Certainly, the usual places I presume?" "Of course," he called as he continued on his way to the science lab.
    Finally arriving in science lab four he entered shortly after the Captain.  "Greetings, Captain. You wished to see me doctor?"

Riker:
    <"Perhaps we could give the creature on the surface energy? I believe several possibilities are available. Now may I call a replacement? Dr. Crusher would like to see me in science lab four.">

    "Keep me informed on what you and Dr. Crusher find out."

Yar:
    After my duty shift, I retired to my quarters for a shower and much needed sleep. The creatures seemed to be in a slow recovery process from the energy drain, so I felt comfortable in leaving my duty station, at least for awhile. I showered, put on my favorite nightgown and slid into the overly firm, Starfleet issued bed.
    I slept surprisingly well considering the circumstances and awoke feeling refreshed. I wanted to get back to the bridge before the U.S.S. Capricorn entered orbit, which should happen within the hour. I pulled a fresh uniform from my closet, choosing the jumpsuit as opposed to the skirt version and headed to the bridge.
    I was anxious to get to know the crew, but we had fallen headlong into our first adventure. Socializing would have to wait. I arrived on the bridge just as the Capricorn was hailing us. I took my duty station from Ensign Kipling and said, "Hailing frequencies open, sir."

Haim:
    The holodeck was amazing. The new technology was going to make deep space travel more bareable with its ability to recreate anything, anyone, or anywhere with a few commands. I recreated Bajor, a flight simulation, and Riza all within the hour I spent on holodeck 4. I barely had time to change and get into my uniform before my next duty shift in engineering. I
sprinted down the corridor, but slowed as I approached engineering. I didn't want to give the impression that I was hurried to get to work.
    When I rounded the corner into main engineering, several engineers were gathered around the central station discussing something. I approached and listened to their conversation.
    Lt. Kuwan animatedly described his experiences on the planet's surface as the others listened contently. It appeared nothing of consequence was happening here or with the creatures.
    "Has there been any developments on the surface," I quietly asked the attractive dark-skinned ensign standing closest to me.
    She turned smiling brightly, "No, but the creatures are nearing their level of strength prior to the energy probes drain on them." she replied. She turned back to listen to Kuwan's enthralling storytelling.
    I nodded feeling excluded. I had missed a vital bonding moment between many of the engineers. Perhaps instead of exploring the ship, I should first develop relationships with my crewmates. I tried to be interested in Kuwan's tale of his near miss with the surface creature, but I had lived the expereince and it wasn't quite as exciting as the Icarian male described.
    I turned to one of the duty stations and pulled up an energy reading of the creature that was still hanging above the planet. I noted that within minutes, the creature would return to full strength. The smaller creature on the surface had surpassed any energy readings we had gotten from it before the energy drain. I could only speculate what the creatures would do
once they reached full strength.

Riker:
    “On screen. USS Capricorn, this Commander Riker First officer of the Starship Enterprise, thanks for joining us today. We are currently monitoring the creatures on and above the planet surface. It is my understanding that you are going to give aid to the people on the surface. Is that correct?” I finish looking at the main viewer waiting for a response.

Darith Fel, Captain of the U.S.S. Capricorn:
    The Trill captain of the Capricorn nodded to Commander Riker. "That is correct Commander. We have been dispatched to aid the Bandi in rebuilding their city. We also have a team of zoologist aboard which will aid in handling the creatures. Please transfer all data gathered to our vessel for analysis."

Troi:
    When I woke up in the mornign my headache was still there. The day before had been a lot to take in. A few relaxation ecercises and I felt a lot better, but not good enough to look forward to a visit to the bridge. I'd hardly talked to Will and the headache was preventing me from reading too much of his feelins about me being on board. At any rate it was liable to
be stressful and I was not in the condition to face that... I made my way to my office to see what I could learn of the rest of the crew. Maybe, just maybe, my presece would not be required on the bridge...

Lt. Blair Jiselle Pierce:

    OOC: Greetings everyone. :) My character is female, around 29. Half caitian/ half human. White fur, bluish black hair. A green eye and a blue eye.

    Lt. Blair Jiselle Pierce, Science officer reporting for duty. I was rescued from Farpoint and was told to report to you.

Riker:
    “Zoologist? Captain, what are your intentions for these creatures?”

Captain Fel:
    "The zoologist team is just one of many we have aboard, Commander. Our first priority is to lure the creatures from the planet, then study them for as long as is possible. We have beamed an away team aboard the creature above the planet to study it more closely. We may need to speak with the officers from the Enterprise's away team and some from the surface as well to help us understand the behavior of these creatures, but as of now, the Enterprise is free to leave Farpoint Station."

Yar:
    Struck by the captain's controlled demeanor, I wouldn't have been surprised if he were at least part Vulcan. As he and Commander Riker conversed, I checked the scans of the creatures again. There was something unusual about the readings from the creature orbiting the planet. My mouth opened to report the peculiarity when there was a disturbance in the background of the
Capricorn.
    "Just a moment, Commander," the Trill said.
    "The away team is dead!" the Capricorn's ops officer screamed.
    "It is firing on us!" cried the tactical officer.
    Two shots flared toward the Capricorn striking the underside of the saucer section. Two more were fired and the comm link with Captain Fel went dead.
    I raised shields instinctively, "Commander, the Capricorn has sustained heavy damage. Their shields are going down and..." I paused, hoping my console was somehow incorrect in its readings. They, unfortunately, were not. "Sir, the creatures on the planet's surface are coming toward US!"

Riker:
    “Helm break standard orbit.” And turning to the weapons officer. “Stand by   with weapons but do not power them up. Go to red alert.”
    Tapping on the Comm badge. “Captain to the bridge.”
    Facing the tactical officer. “Lt., try to hail the Capricorn. Try to find   out what they did to change the demeanor of these aliens.”
    Sitting in the Command chair thinking aloud. “I’m concerned on how these   creatures, who were resting and peaceful, could suddenly become hostile.”

Data:
    "Captain, I have accessed the Capricorn's computer. It appears that the away team was assigned to scan the interior of the entity and even take samples. From the experience our away team had aboard the other creature, I would assume they were killed the same way as Zorn. I do not think that they the creature / entities take kindly to being used as Guinea Pigs ... a phrase you used once on earth I think for animals used as objects of experimentation. It is a pity the Capricorn did not consult with us before engaging in this action."
    "There is another way of looking at this Commander... considering the size of these lifeforms, we are no more than a nuisance to be swatted like a insect. We were lucky when we succeeded in draining their energy ... for we were up till then not attracting their attention. Now however the Capricorn has got that attention and we are in possible real danger."

Guinan:
    The ship was under attack but Guinan wasn't worried.   She knew that things would come out allright, Jean-Luc knew what he was doing and the ship had a good crew.
    Sitting in her quarters she was relaxing, trying to get some aching muscles to relax. She had tried a holodeck program a new crewman had given her and she had gotten quite a workout. In a little while she would go to tenforward to check on everything but for now she just closed her eyes and concentrated on her breathing... relax.. relax..   The air was filled with insense, soft music was playing, candles were her only light.   She pulled in another breath.

Geordi:
    I lost my balance falling backward and hitting my head against the bulkhead. "Damn," I cursed rubbing the lump that was already forming. Someone was firing on the Enterprise, I finally realized.
    Out the window of my quarters, I could see us moving away from the planet with a slow yawning turn. I could also see the two creatures on the surface moving toward us with increasing speed. Obviously badly damaged, the Capricorn was hanging there still under attack by one of the creatures. I scrambled to change into my uniform. As a senior bridge officer, my place was at the helm at times of attack. As I slid on my boot, I again glanced out the porthole to see a blazing orb of energy looming toward the Enterprise. I braced myself.

Troi:
    Wonderful... I thought sarcastically and immediatly felt guilty for it. So much for my recuperation time and getting to know the crew. We were obviously under attack and the command for all senior personnel to report to the bridge would certainly be forthcoming. I had just sensed growing fear and then pain in the creatures. The attack was obviously a reaction to
whatever was causing that. The question was how to get the creatures to realize we were not a threat... I quickly started out of my office, promising myself some quiet time in the holadeck when things calmed down.

Riker:
    After recovering from the hit. “Report! Helm, can we get a Tractor lock on the Capricorn?"

Santiago:
    Santiago had finished his talk with the Doctor and was returning to his quarters when a white furred form appeared at his side.
    <"Lt. Blair Jiselle Pierce, Science officer reporting for duty. I was rescued from Farpoint and was told to report to you. ">
    He looked over the feline grace of the new science officer. "Lt. Pierce, I didn't think a Caitan/Human mixture was possible. Will you tell me how your parents where able to overcome the problems?"
    He continued to stare and a purr began in his throat. "Would you tell me about yourself Lt.?" Suddenly the ship shook and the red alert sounded. In a smooth motion he grabbed her arm and propelled both of them into the nearest turbolift and shouted one word "Bridge!".
    ~What happened? Things where going so well.~

Yar:
    “Report! Helm, can we get a Tractor lock on the Capricorn?" Riker asked the terrified ensign at the helm station. The ensign hesitated, staring blankly at her console. I decided to interject.
    "Attempting to lock on, Commander," I worked at the controls which were unfamiliar, yet more user friendly than any I'd used before. I was successful. The beam reached out, grabbing the Capricorn and dragging it out of its orbit. The bedraggled science vessel wasn't out of the line of fire yet. On the viewscreen, the creature pursued the Capricorn sending a rapid succession of shots into its hull. A dramatic explosion tore through the port side of the saucer section leaving the Capricorn looking like something had taken a bite out of it. What the creature did next was unexpected. It turned back toward the planet joining with the other two creatures, each of the larger creatures flanking the smaller one. Before I could draw another breath, they disappeared into the vast blackness of space.

Worf:
    The turbolift halted on or near deck 5 when the Enterprise took the first hit. Emergency systems stopped all unnecessary ships functions when the ship went to red alert. I had studied ships operations maticulously searching for imperfections. There were many. I hadn't the authority to change anything...yet.
    The computer was also supposed to open the doors when the turbolift stopped, yet the doors were not opening. "Computer, open turbolift doors." No response. I attempted to pry the doors apart with my bare hands using strategically chosen explicatives to aid me. No success.
    "Lt. Worf, to engineering. There is a malfunction in turbolift 1A. I am trapped between deck 5 and 6." I said, controlling the mounting frustration I felt. How could a brand new ship be malfunctioning already? Damned Starfleet designs were too comfortable to be effecient, I thought. I fought the urge to ram my fist into the comm panel.
    The response from engineering was delayed, "Acknowledged Lieutenant. We'll be there as soon as possible."
    I sank down onto the carpet huffing loudly.

Blair:
   
    B.J gave him a sly smile. " I don't know sir.. I wasn't there. I'd say with alot of work"
    <"Would you tell me about yourself Lt.?"   Suddenly the ship shook and the red alert sounded.   In a smooth motion he grabbed her arm and propelled both of them into the nearest turbolift and shouted one word "Bridge!">
    Before she could answer he grabbed her and pulled her into the turbo lift.   " Gee sir I hardly know you." she grinned as the turbolift shot twards the bridge.

Riker:
    Tapping on the Comm badge. “Captain to the bridge.”
    Facing the tactical officer. “Lt., try to hail the Capricorn. Try to find out what they did to change the demeanor of these aliens.”
    Sitting in the Command chair thinking aloud. “I’m concerned on how these creatures, who were resting and peaceful, could suddenly become hostile

Picard:
    The captain exited the turbolift, and stepped onto the bridge, smiling ever   so softly.   He did not know what caused it but the fact that even under   attack, his crew remained unflustered, and level-headed; it was truelly   remarkable...
    He acknowledged Riker.
    "What's our current status, commander?"

Santiago:
    As Santiago and Pierce arrived on the Bridge a flash drew Santiago's attention and he saw the Capricorne being hit mercilessly by the creature before it and its companions vanished into space.
    "Lt Pierce, track those creatures and get as much information as you can. I'll handle the Capricorne."
    He turned to his science station and started taking readings giving his report as he went. "Most saucer decks open to vacuum, minimal forcefields keeping hull integretty. Power down on most of those decks due to major power junctions being cut, life support in saucer section nonfunctioning. Debris includes hull sections, pieces of equipment, several lifeboats but only one with life signs, and many many bodies. The engineering hull appears to be in fairly good condition."

Riker:
    “Sir, when the Capricorn arrived they beamed a team of Zoologist onto the   alien “craft”. The away team was taking samples and the creatures then   became hostile, killed the away team, and started firing at the Capricorn.   And us as well, no damage was reported. It seemed warning shots telling us   to stay back. We pulled the Capricorn out of the area then the three aliens’   just left.” I say getting out of the Command chair.

Yar:
    "...We pulled the Capricorn out of the area then the three aliens’ just left.” Commander Riker stood and turned to Picard.
    "Medical teams are being dispatched to the Capricorn sir. They received heavy casualties. We are still tracking the creatures on long range sensors." I added.

Tymen:
    I was part of the engineering team dispatched to the Capricorn to stabilize the ship while the survivors were evacuated. The ship was a damned mess, and that was an understatement. I worked at the bridge ops station trying to divert enough power to keep the forcefields entact while the medical teams searched through rubble for survivors. The Enterprise was feeding us
power which helped.
    "Enterprise, please increase feed 4.2%," I said.
    "Acknowledged," came the voice of Lt. Commander Lynch.
    I touched a few controls before my gaze dropped to the deck nearby. I flinched. A young ensign lay dead and badly burned. Her console had exploded in her face sending her to a quick death, hopefully. Her body hadn't been evacuated yet. I swallowed hard finding it impossible to tear my eyes away from the grotesque sight. A cold sweat beaded on my brow.
    I flashed back to the death camps on Bajor. An overwhelming feeling of nausea rolled through my body and I fought the urge to vomit.
    "Tymen, you okay?" Kuwan asked noticing my unease. His large hand was on my shoulder and I nodded.
    "Fine. Just hard to work with dead bodies all around," I glanced down at the ensign. He nodded as if he understood, but I knew he couldn't. He motioned to one of the medics and the ensign's body was quickly covered. Kuwan walked away and I focused on the job at hand.

Santiago:
    Moving down the ramp he now faces the captain. "Captain as I mentioned in my earlier report the damage is extensive, but repairable with much work, the loss of life is quite great. I feel the best course of action would be to seperate the Capricorn's stardrive and take it to the nearest starbase, at least by my current estimates the saucer is unrecoverable. With your permission myself and Lt. Pierce will go aboard and recover any of the data from the Capricorns computer."
    (response)
    "If I may speak freely sir?"
    (response, and if not granted I won't say what comes next)
    "Could you have been faster and more decisive with your decisions, the outcome of this mission was almost as if we hadn't been here at all in fact it would have been better if we hadn't been here since the Capricorn wouldn't have been here without our calling her."

Geordi:
    The turbolift doors slid open and an almost tangible cold enveloped me.  Something wasn't right. I glanced around the bridge noticing all eyes were on Picard and Riker who stood eye to eye in the command center. I slowly stepped down the ramp and slid quietly into my seat at the helm.

Data:
    " Sir, may I point out that if the Enterprise had not been here you and possibly all the inhabitants of the planet might very well be dead by now. "

Santiago:
    He turned from Picard to regard Data. "An untestable hypothosis, but it appeared before the Capricorn the creatures where going to kill Zorn and appearently Zorn alone. This also ignores the fact that without the Enterprise being sent here it is highly unlikely that any of her crew would have been ordered to meet her here.  However your point is taken, and I should beg forgiveness due to fatigue and stress."

Troi:
    I arrive on the bridge in time to hear the ScienceOfficer's comments. "I disagree... They were firingon the city, injuring and killing many of the inhabitants. They may have held Zorn personallyresponsible, but they obviously considered the otherinhabitants as a threat, at least to the one on thesurface. Do we know why they attacked the Capricorn?" I ask, turning to the security officer.

Data:
    "Mr. Santiago, if you examine the logs you will see that we were sent here to meet our crew not the other way around ....the occasion of our crew transfers seemed an idea opportunity for us to view this promised station the Bandi were building as a test of their federation membership material."

Lieutenant B.J. Pierce:
    <"Lt Pierce, track those creatures and get as much information as you can. I'll handle the Capricorne.">
    Puzzled, Pierce looked to the controls on the bridge before her and looked to him. " Uh..yes sir."   In her mind she was thinking ~geeze I've just been saved from getting killed on Farpoint, come aboard a new ship..get hit on by my superior officer, yanked to the bridge without so much as a warning, and now I'm told to get information on creatures..okay..I can handle this~
    Pierce looks over from her temporary station in surpirse. ~What? I haven't touched a phaser in months~
    <"Could you have been faster and more decisive with your decisions, the outcome of this mission was almost as if we hadn't been here at all in fact it would have been better if we hadn't been here since the Capricorn wouldn't have been here without our calling her." >
    This time Pierce turns away from her station altogether her jaw hanging open. She looks to him and then to the captain. " With all due respect to my supervising officer and the Captain...we're here now..this has happened. And regardles of who has done, or not done what, we just have to take care of what's happened now."
    She means no challenge, it's just a statement. She is a puzzled newcomer, wondering what the hell is going on.   In her expierince on Space stations you got the job done and then when everything was safe you rehashed what happened... and you most certainly did not say such things to the commanding officer.. especially the lengendary Jean-Luc Picard...   She looked from Picard to her commanding officer, with surprise and concern.

Santiago:
    Santiago waited somewhat nervously, he had said his peace and others had chimed in, now he waited for the Captain to speak.
    As he waited he realized work must still be done. "Lt. Pierce, lead an away team to recover the Capricorns data bank information. I will catch up with you later."
    ~Assuming I still have a career.~

Data:
    "uhumm" Data fixed Lt. Pierce a look that froze the officer in his place.
    Everyone was looking expectantly at the Captain and Riker wondering how they would deal with Santiago's continuing and amazing insubordination. Yes...they had all been through a stressful few hours but they were trained Starfleet officers and for someone's character to break up the first time the mission got tough was unusual not to mention worrying.

Worf:
    The doors of the turbolift were pryed open to reveal two wide-eyed ensigns behind them.
    "Are you okay, Lieutenant Worf? Sorry it took so long to get to you, but the Capricorn has been our priority." said the male ensign looking somewhat intimidated by me (not unusual for humans).
    "I am fine, and I understand the delay. I am just glad to be free," I said forcing my voice lower than was normal.
    An uncomfortable silence followed before the female ensign shrugged. "I have to get back to engineering, but I'll run a diagnostic on the turbolift later. It's nice to meet you Lt. Worf." The two scurried away like children. I didn't get their names, but perhaps later I would make a point to thank them. For now however, sleep was in order.

Riker:
    In a bit of awe to what Santiago had said, I stand quietly to hear what the Captain has to say.

Tymen:
    The saucer section had nearly been evacuated, including the bodies of those killed during the creatures attack. The Capricorn's compliment was 187 and there were 126 survivors. 61 individual lives snuffed out because we could not understand what these creatures were doing. I wasn't a scientist, but if I were to guess, I'd say the smaller one was the child of the larger two. The "parents" were simply protecting their child at all cost like any parent would. Unfortunately,that cost was 62 lives, inlcuding Zorn. Of course, 62 lives pailed in comparison to the slaughter on Bajor during the Cardassian occupation... Why was I thinking so much about Bajor so much lately? Each and every event that happened since my arrival at Farpoint brought back the nightmare existence I endured during the occupation. Perhaps it was something I needed to talk with Counselor Troi about. I made a mental note to schedule an appointment with her when I returned to the Enterprise.
    My thoughts drifted back to my work, "OK," I paused turning to Kuwan who stood over me, "We're ready to separate the saucer section."

Picard:
    I narrow my eyes and study Santiago. He was one of the few officers aboard I knew little about, a last minute addition to the crew, a replacement for an officer who had been unable to fulfill the assignment. I glance at the young LT who seemd nervous and offer a reassuring smile, "Belay that order, LT. I believe the away team already aboard the Caprican can handle whatever needs to be done there." I look back at Santiago, my voice calm, I will not allow the crew to see any more of a confrontation in the ranks than they have already witnessed. "I will request access to the files you are interested in. IF they are released I will have them sent to your office. If there is nothing else, there are other matters that demand my attention..."

Yar:
    The man was a genius. He had difused a potentially explosive situation with a few words. There was no doubting why he was captain. I would definitely learn a great deal from him.
    My attention turned to my console as it suddenly bleeped, "Captain," I said after reading the incoming information, "the away team is ready to separate the saucer section on the Capricorn. Also, the T'Sat is within communications range. They are asking about the Capricorn and the creatures."

Santiago:
    "I thank you Captain. I also feel I should apologize, as you know we have been under much stress personally I was almost killed, pushed right into my job, had a great scientific find escape, and in general had a bad day. My thought were not appropriate for airing on the Bridge and I should have at least asked to use the Ready Room. I hope you understand."
    Santiago extends his hand, hoping for the Captain's to meet it.

Picard:
    I shake his hand, "We have all been under a lot of stress and I hope we haveall learned from the experiences of the last 24 hours..." Before I can continue Lt Yar reports.
    creatures.">
    "Inform the away team to proceed and transfer our logs concerning Farpoint, the creatures, and the attack to the T'Sat."

Santiago:
    His eyes moved from the Captain, to Lt. Pierce still waiting at the back of the Bridge, to Lt. Yar, and finally back to the Captain. Profesionalism falls back into place erasing almost all traces of the past few minutes. "Orders sir?"

Picard:
    "The Capricorn files should be available to you shortly. I suggest we alltry to get settled in..."

Tymen:
    Engineer's log, supplemental:
    The Capricorn was separated. The separation had been a difficult due to the heavily damaged saucer section, but we had pulled it off. The saucer section was now dead in space, all power gone and many decks exposed to the vacuum of space. Fortunately, the drive section was repairable, but that would take time. The T'Sat was instructed to destroy the saucer and tow the drive section, with its survivors, to starbase 88 for refit.
    The creatures were gone. For whatever reason, they had disappeared, not even showing up on long range sensors anymore. Woefully, a great scientific find had been all but lost, for now. Sometimes the universe had a way of wrapping up the loose ends on its own time, in its own way. I truly believed we would see the creatures again in our journeys. My only hope was that our next meeting would one without lose of life, but rather gain of knowledge.

Santiago:
    Santiago sat at the science station going over the files which had been transferred shortly after his conversation had ended. A creature adapted to a life in space, amazing. This vessels mission was to seek out new life and new civilizations, they had certainly found new life today.
    "Pardon me, Captain, we still have a loose end. I take it the Bandi request to join the Federation will need our comments, I assume you will want it denied?"

Picard:
    "Pending further investigation. If what happened here is as we suspect thenI don't see how we can support their application at this point. Perhapsthey will learnm from this incident and can reapply in a few years..."

Yar:
    I transmitted Captain Picard's communique recommending that the Bandi planet be denied citizenship to the Federation. After all that had happened, I felt sad for these people. Perhaps, in twisted way, Zorn had good intentions in the beginning of all of this, but somehow and sometimes, good intentions go awry. For whatever reason, Zorn had entrapped the entity and
forced it to build the oasis of the Bandi city against the creature's will. My only hope was that somehow the Bandi would realize that building a civilization at the expense of another alien form, or race for that matter, would inevitably bring downfall.
    On the viewscreen, the Capricorn's saucer section exploded in a fiery display and dissolved into the dark of space. The T'Sat, with the crippled drive section of the Capricorn in tow, left orbit slowly bringing a sad chapter of the adventures of U.S.S. Enteprise to an end.

Santiago:
    <"Perhaps they will learnm from this incident and can reapply in a few years...">
    "Possible sir, a sign of intelligence is to learn from your mistakes. I think the Federation might be back one day, it might even be the Enterprise."
    He stood as the Capricorns saucer was destroyed, and the T'Sat began to tow the stardrive back to a starbase.
    "But it might be another Capricorn. If I may ask what is our next assignment?"
    (response Captain)
    As he sat back down he noticed the time on one of the science displays. "According to this our shift ended a minute ago." The turbolift opens and several crewmembers emerged, the Beta shift.

Picard:
    A small smile crosses my face as I see the saucer section explide and the Capricorn towed away. Not because of the destruction or the loss of life, but because the incident was finally over. Now everyone could move on to other things. I looked at the young officer sitting at helms, "Lt, get us out of here. Warp Three. Engage..."
 

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