[21:32] sure. set about half hour after the sim. [21:32] in, oh, sickbay. [21:32] *Sim Start* [21:32] *** CoroLCARS changes topic to '=/\= U.S.S. Coronado, NCC-97901... http://www.jestertrek.com/coro2400/ =/\= Sim in progress! =-= Coronado sims at 9:00pm ET Mondays, with an after-sim most weeks immediately following!' [21:32] *** CoroLCARS sets mode: +m [21:32] <<::hopes the doped up doctor doesn't cause a miscarriage or something ;D ::>> [21:33] *** Kari is now known as Brooks [21:33] ::sitting with her back against the wall near the port door, glaring out towards the turbolift:: [21:33] ::sits on the floor of sickbay, leaning against the wall, and idly playing with her phaser rifle:: [21:33] ::rolls to her side and looks about sickbay for the two - ahem - "medical officers":: [21:33] *** Joins: Davies (Savant@h24-66-44-227.ed.shawcable.net) [21:33] *** CoroLCARS sets mode: +v Davies [21:33] ::notes that the restraints have been removed while she was sedated yet again:: [21:34] ::sighs deeply:: [21:34] ::Davies appears at the door from the engineering acess tube, covered in dust and a little sweaty, but apparently elated. The adrenaline was stull puming:: [21:35] ::blinks a few times, happy to have his eyesight back as he glances around to see who's there:: [21:35] ::grabs an already blood stained towel that's half slung over the edge of a biobed and uses it to wipe off the pink Klingon blood splattered over it:: [21:35] Klingons. In M64. ::makes a disgusted face:: [21:36] ::pushes herself to upright and realizes that she's not hurting nearly as badly as before:: [21:36] ::mutters:: I'll be damned... [21:36] ::Stretches as she gets out from the cramped tube:: well, that was exciting. How is everything here? [21:36] Indeed. ::to Tal as she sits up, wondering where Prescot is:: [21:36] <> [21:37] ::coughs lightly and looks around the sickbay:: [21:37] If that happens, it's going to rank right up there with the Excelsior Transwarp Projects in terms of "Top 10 Worst Flag Decisions Ever" [21:37] ::Savant replies civilly to Maiko:: Maiko... have you ever really met a klingon before? [21:38] ::rubs her head:: General... ::grimaces:: ...does a ceasefire include making ourselves vulnerable to attack by allowing all of these Klingons to be stored here? [21:38] ::shrugs:: I can see again. Wonder what that stuff was anyway? [21:38] ::grunts:: They're barbarians. All their prattle about honor is just an excuse to slice someone in half from what I've heard. [21:38] ::finishes wiping down the bat'leth and tosses the towel back where he picked it up from, and glances at the Klingons laying about:: They're sedated. Should they put up a fuss...::shrugs, tilts the bladed weapon:: [21:39] There aren't any in M64, so I can understand why you have a biased view of them. In the days of Churchill, the Federation held a very biased and very wrong view of the Klingons. [21:39] They were barbarians in this time and they became barbarians in our time - unless the 'K' in that FKR war everyone was talking about a year ago was for something other than Klingon. [21:39] ::nods:: At least someone around here has some sense. ::lowers herself gently to the deck:: [21:39] ((Gah,w rong window)) [21:39] There aren't any in M64, so I can understand why you have a biased view of them. In the days of Churchill, the Federation held a very biased and very wrong view of the Klingons. [21:39] ((DAvies didn't say that ^_^ [21:40] ::watches Tal:: Easy does it... [21:40] ::dryly:: I suppose next you're saying I should trust Romulans too. [21:40] ::chuckles wryly:: And I do include myself - from time to time - in the opposite grouping, before you say anything, General. ::smirks as she feels herself for any actively huring areas:: [21:41] ::Glances sidelong at Tal and grins an amused smirk:: Don't get so hasty. [21:41] ::looks up at the General as she leans against the biobed for support:: [21:41] ::stands and walks over to Brooks:: Hey. How are you doing? [21:41] ::Davies sits down heavily and lets out a huffed breath... just watching Maiko and Savant talk for now:: [21:41] ::looks up slowly:: Fine. How're your eyes? [21:41] I'm not being hasty. What have they... ::gestures to the next deck down:: ...done to give me any reason to believe otherwise from what I've been taught? [21:42] So, General, I thought I overheard a discussion implying that this - ::waves her hand about chaotically:: - is yet another loop, similar to that which - to our previous experiences. [21:42] I've known several very noble and good Klingons. [21:42] You think my people, if you took Klingons to them right now, would welcome them to the colony? Trust them with the defense? With living on the same planet? [21:42] Better. They sting a little but the doc said they're find. No real damage done thank goodness. [21:42] not initially. But they could integrate. [21:42] And by now I mean, in this period, this time. ::bangs floor in fustration:: If it existed. [21:43] You seem to exist to me. [21:43] And if it doesn't exist, then WHY THE HELL AM I HERE?! [21:43] It is...possible. [21:44] ::looks over at Maiko and grimaces slightly at her yelling:: [21:44] We will no doubt find out once we attempt to alter the timeline...if we are able to reach Xanadu. [21:44] calm down Maiko. I don't think that you cna apply normal causality to this situation. [21:45] ::nods slowly:: I've been trying to get my mind around why we are here for some time. I'm wondering if we are not here because we are supposed to be here. You said yourself that the Klingons were able to attack because Coronado's crew moved us. [21:45] ::motions to a spot on the floor by Brooks:: Mind if I sit? [21:45] ::nods:: Strange that you had that reaction... [21:45] ::sighs, draing her knees up to her chest and hugging them tightly:: [21:45] ::sliders sidewats a bit:: Sure. [21:46] ::nods:: The Admiral has said that we may be indeed be the cause not only for that, but for Churchill getting to M64 as well. [21:46] ::sits and nods slightly:: I know. The doc tried to explain it to me but, I didn't really understand. [21:46] ::glares at Savant:: Easy for you to talk about causality. You exist for some unknown reason outside of the holoprojectors in Xanadu. [21:47] You can't even explain THAT. [21:47] In which case our purpose on this thread may not be to change something but to ensure that something happens. [21:47] ::moves into sickbay and exhales, seemingly very happy at the moment as he looks around, for a moment as if looking for something:: [21:47] I also can't explain why I remember any of you or anything. It's not like I actually have any software running here. [21:48] ::glances at him:: Which Doctor? [21:48] ::tries taking a few tentative steps:: [21:48] ::Davies smirks and shakes her head slightly as if clearing it.. then begins to strip out of her pressure suit, grumbling to herself about the things being too encumbering and sweaty:: [21:49] I think I'd prefer not existing at this point. One more of these stupid time-amok things and I'm going to loose the last shred of sanity. [21:49] ::watches Tal:: Lieutenant D'rall has indicated that Lieutenant Valentine was supposed to be on Churchill, and that she may be the cause for her transfer to M64. Yet here she is on Coronado. [21:49] I'd rather quit 'fleet and move back to Reor and put up with that asshole of a manager than this. [21:49] ::frowns:: I recall Ms. D'Rall mentioning something to me earlier to that effect. [21:50] Besides... ::glances at Valentine, who is still out in the corridor on the lines there:: ...what right do any of you have to put my people through the anquish they went through. [21:50] ::frowns slightly:: It was a man. I don't really know him. [21:50] It was only in passing, and it was in the midst of a rather tense situation. ::grimaces and shakes her head:: I'm sorry I dodn't catch what she said sooner. [21:51] We had no time to act on that sooner, regardless. [21:51] Huh. Well, I'm glad you're feeling better, anyway. [21:52] ::finds what hes looking for and begins to clean off the machette that he commandered, looking over the nicks and cuts in the blade:: (m) shoddy craftsmanship... [21:52] :Savant sighs and shakes her head:: [21:52] ::smiles:: Thanks. For helping me back there and all. It was a tough fight. You know, you really should work on your shooting skills. [21:53] ::nods, pondering:: Was there some purpose to the shift that was made on the previous occassion of the Catapult's activation? I had no direct experience with it myself because I was - ::swallows hard:: - I was not a part of that timeline. [21:53] ::sighs, letting her head droop to her forearms:: [21:53] The purpose of that shift was our future activation of the catapult to reach Lh'owon. What this shift was caused by...is something very far in the future, given Xanadu's recharge rate. [21:54] ::smiles slightly:: I didn't think I was that bad.. [21:54] ::Davies heads over to a compartment and digs around, withdrawing a large silver bag, ripping it open:: Well, here's lunch. [21:54] ::looks out the door, past the turbolift stop and into the lounge:: What, those food synth units not working? [21:55] Dunno. This is closer. And besides, these aren't so bad if you let'em heat first. [21:55] ::nods:: I was actually wondering if there had been some purpose to the shift in realities that many individuals reported. If the entities that have been responsible for our continued looping were not involved there - and, ergo, here. [21:55] ::She pulls one long package out form the bag of rations and squeezes the heating capsule on one side, then shakes it vigorously:: [21:55] ::puts her head back on her knees/arms:: No thanks. [21:56] oh, c'mon, you've been at it for how long? You still eat int he far-flung future, right? [21:56] ::grunts and resheaths his weapon looking around and wondering what everyone is up to:: [21:56] ::shakes his head:: That alternative reality was of our own making - through the future activation of Xanadu's catapult. It is a side effect of the device - I do not believe it has anything to do with those forces. At least, not in any direct fashion. [21:57] You did alright, it's just that practise could make it a bit better. Just a thought. [21:58] ::grows distant:: Do you believe in the Gods, General? [21:58] You speak in the plural, so you will have to specify. [21:59] Rations in the future aren't any good. [21:59] ::Muffled a bit:: [21:59] Hmm. I suppose so, if we get back. [21:59] ::cheerily:; guess you forgot how to make'm huh? [22:00] ::looks at her seriously:: I haven't lived 385 years to die like this. We'll get back. Somehow. [22:00] ::shakes her head:: A god, many gods, any god? ::shrugs:: A philosophical question I have been struggling with as of late. I'm curious as to what others believe as I seek my own real understanding of such things. [22:00] ::blinks:: 385..? [22:01] ::smirks slightly:: I'm El Aurian. You didn't know? [22:01] ::lets out an annoyed sigh at Davies:: [22:01] ::crosses his arms, setting the bat'leth resting against the biobed:: There is to much form and too many coincidences in the universe, so yes, I do believe that there must be some higher power. Something byond our comprehension. ::pauses:: Hopefully not the Q. [22:02] Ohh. No, I hadn't heard. [22:02] ::winces:: dont' say that word. [22:02] Wait.. ::smirks:: Nearly four hundred years, and your only a Captain's steward? [22:03] ::nods sagely:: The Q... [22:03] ::muffled:: Besides, if whatever the flag is planning goes through, you'll never have met us and none of this will ever have happened. [22:03] ::chuckles softly:: It's what I enjoy doing. Like making drinks. If you find something you enjoy, why not stick with it? [22:04] ::A little miffed:: There's no need to be so abrasive. I apologize for interrupting you. [22:04] ::snorts at Tal's sage like nodding, his own opinions of that certain species not entirely high:: [22:04] I suppose so. Still, seems like an awfully long time to do anything... [22:04] ::shrugs:: Hardly the Gods Themselves. More like, the Jesters of the Gods. [22:05] Indeed. ::picks up the bat'leth again and examines the edge:: [22:06] ::spies the General examining his blade and moves over towards him:: I doubt anything on this ship can keep an edge beyond two slices.. [22:06] Well, I wasn't always in this position. I travelled a lot, did some exploring in my younger days. Then, I met Eveline, and things changed... [22:06] ::flips the blade around:: The general weaponry, perhaps. This...is not general weaponry. [22:07] ::sets the bat'leth back down:: Not that its sharpness makes that much of a difference to myself. [22:07] ::watches him, intently:: Eveline? [22:07] ::takes a deep breath and scans the room again before glancing back at Ironside:: Strength before finesse, General? [22:08] Yours is holding up well then I take it? ::pulls out his machette and grunts:: Thers at least two chips in this blade already, and I only killed two of those pink blodded fools [22:08] ::nods, a look of sadness creeping over his face:: Yes. She was the most beautiful creature I've ever seen...and I've seen a lot of beautiful creatures. [22:08] Not necesarily, Commander. I prefer a meld of the two. ::glances at Prescot and then takes a look at the blades:: [22:09] ::smirks:: You could use a phaser to sharpen the edge...or perhaps ask the last Klingon I saw with a bat'leth for his. Don't know if he'll respond though, I recall noticing his torso slipping in two as I exited the emergency impulse control room. [22:09] ::Davies makes osmething of a face at the conversation and mutters something about trying to eat as she opens the package. The room filled with the scent of warmed lasagna:: [22:10] Hmm yes... The one that got Captain Daren is now searching for something he lost ::smirks at Ironside:: [22:10] I do hope the good Captain is recouperating satisfactorily? [22:10] ::nods somberly:: What, uh.. ? [22:10] ::looks about:: Where is the Captain? [22:11] ::scans the room:: And the Admiral, and most of the rest of our staffs, for that matter? [22:11] He's currently recuperating on the other side of the sickbay. [22:11] as are the others. [22:11] What happened to her? [22:11] ::nods:: I believe that he is doing quite well now... His injuries were minor thankfully [22:11] ::nods again, lips pressed together in a slight frown:: [22:12] ::Frowns in the dim lighting of the emergency condition:: Ah, so they are. Thank you, Savant. [22:12] you're welcome. [22:12] ::nods:: Good. [22:13] ::pauses:: I do hope we are able to reach Churchill and Hayashi before our twenty ::glances at the chronometer:: two hours are up. [22:14] We're still within an appropriate window, by my projections, JEremy. [22:14] ::looks down at the ring that still rests on his finger and rubs it absentmindedly:: (q) I am El Aurian, she was not. She was a Terran. ::pauses:: She died in my arms...from natural causes, or old age, whatever you want to call it. [22:14] Churchill was more than two days distant last we checked. And Hayashi is several hundred lightyears from Klingon space. [22:14] Im amazed that this ship can still make warp given its current condition [22:15] ::glances between Savant, and Tal:: [22:15] ::still seeming to sit quietly in her corner, head on her knees:: [22:15] ::eats ravenously:: [22:15] I agree, Colonel. ::smirking slightly:: [22:15] That's right, Ms Tal. [22:15] Ohh, I see. ::raises a hand to his shoulder, trying to be reassuring:: [22:16] ::grimaces:: And unless I've missed too much time, we still don't have communications - unless the Klingons have given us access to secondary command... ::Arches an eyebrow at Savant in question:: [22:16] I guess I shouldnt question one of the few blessings we've managed to accumulate on this endevour [22:16] I was under the impression you used the deflector to signal Churchill. [22:17] The Admiral wishes to use the Holt Time-bias effect to travel through time. As long as we can do that, we'll be able to make whatever time we like. [22:17] That's also correct, Churchill has been signalled. [22:17] *** Joins: ObsSantiago (breathless@C9-dhcp-20-52.resnet.ucsc.edu) [22:18] ::looks up at her, smiling weakly:: I knew when I met her it would happen one day. Some people would say, why bother? If you know it will bring you pain in the end? But every day spent with her was like paradise. She still lives on...in my heart. [22:18] ::nods:: It worked, best we can tell. But it can't receive, and the communications protocols aren't designed to handle alternative methods of transmission or reception for too long, it would seem. [22:18] This is, I would like to say, one of the poorest designs ever fielded by Starfleet. [22:20] ::mumbles:: i didn't build it. [22:20] I couldn't image it myself, though I suppose your race has had more need to learn and accept the inevitable. [22:22] ::nods:: When you outlive pretty much everyone around you, you don't really have a choice. You learn to take one day at a time and treasure it. Enjoy it to the fullest and then move on to the next day. [22:23] ::Stops suddenly and looks to Savant:: With a top speed of warp nine, are you certain that this ship can manage a Feynman-curve breakaway trajectory around a star? [22:24] With proper repairs, yes. ::she smiled at Davies:: I'm sure we can get it to work, with a dual majored computer sciences and warp field dynamics physicist on board. [22:25] You all must not have had to deal with that until you left your planet, though. To find out that every race around you had a much shorter lifespan... [22:26] ::frowns:: It would be better if we could locate a singularity of some sort - that would lower the required warp factor needed to achieve the creation of a Feynman curve, and it would put less of a strain on Coronado's engines. Savant, are there any such astronomical phenomena within satisfactory range? [22:27] ::shrugs:: I've never known anything else. I'm really not that old, in my people's standards. [22:27] ::she smirked:: define 'satisfactory range'. [22:28] ::crosses his arms again:: We'll be fine. More poorly designed vessels have made the trajectory. [22:28] I don't know if I would be more tempted to stay amongst my own people. You all have colonies now, right? After the borg... [22:28] ::A little bit of pride swelled up in her:: I know she's a little ungainly.. but... Coronado's not *that* bad, really! [22:29] ::furrows her brow:: If you insist, Ms. Davies. [22:29] However, you would not say that if you could see ships such as Pegasus, Panache, Vanguard, and our own Coronado. ::allows a bit of pride to creep into her own voice:: [22:30] ::glances at Tal:: Those who do not appreciate the past will find it more difficult to cope with the future. [22:30] ::she rolled her eyes upwards and raised her hands:: Please forgive my primitiveness, oh overlords from the future. [22:30] ::Shakes her head:: No. El Aurians tend to be loners and stay away from their own kind. For fear they may all be wiped out some day. [22:30] Thank you... General Ironside, was it? [22:31] <<*his>> [22:31] ::nods:: [22:32] I find the past fascinating enough. It's the design of this ship that I find I have a hard time appreciating. ::Grimaces in pain as she feels one of the twins kick in her still-injured abdomen:: [22:33] ::murmuering from her self-made coccoon:: better at maneuvering than our Coronado. [22:33] We look at the ships from our past and say the same thing. . . we just don't tell it to their faces. [22:33] ::frowns sharply:: That sounds like a rather sad state of affairs. The borg threat has been controlled in the alpha quadrant, and you all would be very safe if you took a position behind Federation lines... [22:34] ::smirks slightly at Davies' comment:: [22:34] ::brushes her hair back over her pointed ears:: You willfind, Ms. Davies, that I prefer to be as direct and honest with people as I can be. [22:35] Mrs. Davies. [22:35] Indeed. Commander Tal is well known for her... ::pauses:: ...method of communication. [22:36] So I see. Guess the future doesn't believe in tact either? ::grins:: [22:36] ::shrugs:: It is the way of my people, and why would it be sad if I am for the most part happy? I enjoy my duty, making new friends, seing new places. I have a hobby that I love. What's wrong with that? [22:36] ::brightens:: How is father? [22:37] Tact is for those who have the time and inclination to bother with such things, Mrs. Davies. [22:38] tact is for officers, in my opinion. [22:38] ::smirks again, growing more fond of Davies by the minute:: [22:38] You're right I suppose. ::smiles:: I'm glad you're getting along with yourself, too. [22:38] and the opinion of Starfleet, or did they change that too? ::looks over at Savant and blinks again:: You really *are* Muse. [22:38] Flag officers, perhaps. We peons actually have to get things done from time to time. [22:39] ::laughs at that:: I'd be in a terrible state if I didn't get along with myself, wouldn't I? [22:39] ::laughs slightly:: You're right at that. [22:40] ::she grinned broadly at Savant:: He's fine, dear. At quantico base, whipping some discipline into the new generation of marines. [22:40] ::furrows her brow in thought:: Actually...if you'll excuse me a moment... ::stands;: [22:40] ::quips in Tal's direction cheerily:: No reason that things can't be done *politely* [22:41] ::cocks her head to one side as she examines Davies:: Ah... so, you truly are the Karen Davies... I'm not sure if this is making more sense to me or less. [22:41] ::nods:: Certainly. [22:41] ::She keeps the grin, but screws up her eyebrows, cocking one high, so that she's got a sort of a crazy quizzical look:: There are more than one of me? [22:41] ::slips out the rear door of sickbay:: [22:42] There are thirty-two human and part-human women in the records of Starfleet at this time period who bear the name Karen Davies. [22:42] ::watches her leave and turns to look at the others as they talk quietly:: [22:42] ::gives everyone a red-eyed look:: I can't believe it. You're going to condemn over 500 people to a bleak and harsh existence away from their families and friends and you're all just sitting here laughing and having a 'great ol' time'. ::gets up, grabbing a ration and water pack on the way and heads aft, into the Surgeon's Office:: [22:43] ::tilts his head to the side, wondering how on earth Tal knows that off the top of her head:: [22:43] ::says out of the side of her mouth:: Thirty seven. [22:43] ::She smirks and replies, clearly enjoying the spar:: And one named Davies-Jeppo. That being me. [22:43] ::gives Savant a dirty look:: Six of them have been involved in major computer and/or artificial intelligence research projects in the past 12 years. [22:44] clearly none of the important ones, or id've heard about them. I'm obviously the one who carries the illustrious mantle of the Davies name. [22:44] ::shrugs:: I was more concerned about the six computer researchers than the other twenty-six - or thirty-one - who were not involved in computer research. [22:44] ::Smirks:: [22:45] ::gestures at Savant:: See, even Muse agrees with me. The other ones don't matter. [22:45] and you're changing the subject. [22:46] SO> ::flings the packets down on the desk, throws herself in the seat, and stares at the ceiling:: [22:46] ::nods:: Indeed, but I had not yet had the chance to meet with you until just now. Your research is well-known to those of us who have endeavored to find ways of utilizing artificial intelligences to slice into enemy computer systems. [22:46] I'm glad that i was useful! You mean that i'm remembered two hundred years from now? [22:46] my my my... [22:47] ::hmphs and picks up the bat'leth again, pulling out one of the phasers and fiddling with it to get a useful setting on the beam attenuation and power:: [22:47] ::nods slowly, not sure how much information about the future should be disseminated to the natives:: [22:48] Your research with the Muse project is still considered one of the most ground-breaking AI projects in Federation history. [22:48] ::Beams with pride:: [22:48] A shame could find no practical applications for it other than Savant herself. [22:48] ::rests against the wall, just listening:: [22:48] ::Deflates somewhat and glares at Velorna:: [22:49] ::glances at the hologram:: Still, she is quite helpful - and a good friend. [22:49] When she wants to be. ::winks at Savant:: [22:49] Always, Velorna. [22:50] SO> ::glares at the foot and rips at the food packet - right now horrible food being better than crying:: [22:50] ::activates the phaser and begins running it along the bat'leth's bladed surface, attempting to sharpen it:: [22:50] ::Davies grinned, clearly happy to see the whole interaction between Savant and Tal:: You're amazing, Muse. Or is it Savant now? My, how you've grown up. [22:51] ::reaches over to a pack and pulls out a couple of rations, looking them over carefully before opening one and popping it in his mouth:: ((Roast beef?)) [22:51] did you pick that hologram yourself? [22:52] You helped me, before you were assigned to USS Caduceus briefly. ::she smiled a bit:: You picked out my height. You said that you wanted to be taller, and would live vicariously through me. [22:53] ::nods thoughtfully:: Your designation of "muse" for her is quite accurate: perhaps her greatest function is to offer others a sounding board for ideas while processing that data and creating new ideas of her own and in others. A truly remarkable creation, Doctor. [22:53] ::Frowns:: However, as remarkable as she is, I don't see how it is that she exists here and now. [22:54] SO> ::pops the contents of the packet in her mouth and almost as quickly spits it out:: Of all the packets I had to pick, stir fry. yech [22:54] ::flips the bat'leth over and runs the phaser down the other side of the edge:: [22:54] ::She blinked:: Wow... no one's ever really called me doctor before. I must've really been impressive somehow. [22:55] ::glances at up Davies:: Don't worry. We don't know what's happened to her either. [22:55] ::She seems a bit distressed, and looks at Savant:: something's wrong with you? [22:55] ::chews slowly as he looks at the other ration:: [22:56] SO> ::sighs, taking a brief second to try to freshen up in the bathroom, then comes back out into sickbay proper and takes her place back where she was before [22:56] ::she patted a terminal beside her:: c'mere sweetie. Let mommy see. [22:56] ::looks at Davies, patting a console, quizzically:: Mommy? You're one of those nutso engineers who thinks the ship is her baby? [22:57] ::points a finger at Maiko sharply as she looks over the screen:: You pour your soul into a project until it turns into a living being and see how you feel about it first. [22:58] ::glances at D'Rall:: Ah, Ms. D'Rall, excellent. You appear to be well. [22:58] ::glares at Tal:: Oh, I'm wonderful. Really. [22:58] ::Savant didn't move, but her program popped up on the screen obediently. It was the complete code, with everything revealed. Anyone who could see the screen would see a side of Savant they never had before.:: [22:59] ::nods with a slight wince:: A word with you, Lieutenant. [22:59] <<::restrains from making the "your bits are showing" joke::>> [22:59] ((hee hee)) [22:59] ::Sighs:: Sorry, you of all people don't deserve that, but I'm understandably upset. [23:00] ::blinks, and watches the code move across the screen:: ...pardon me....but where is that coming from? [23:00] ::Frowns as she leads D'Rall to a secluded corner:: Explain. [23:01] ::pops the second ration in his mouth and chews it:: ((raspberry?)) [23:01] If we send Churchill back in time... we are condemning the over 500 crew of that ship to hardship and loss of loved ones. They never asked for it. [23:01] And if we don't... I don't exist. [23:01] ::looks up at Ironside who's looking over her shoulder:: That's Muse, of course. Her geneoassembler, to be specific. Looks okay to me [23:01] ::Savant gets an amusing flush on her cheeks and sits quietly as her mother shows her programming off, quite embarrassed:: [23:01] ...but where is it coming from? It's not stored in Coronado's computer. [23:02] ::nods slowly:: The good of the many, Lieutenant. Are you familiar with that axiom? [23:02] ... seems to be local to this node. ::looks up at Savant:: [23:02] .::runs hands through her hair:: The good of the many means you don't send Churchill to M64. [23:02] .. I've learned how to run parallel processes, Mother. [23:03] . . . My goodness... god for you, dear! That's incredible! [23:03] ::glances between Savant and Davies, then puts a hand to his temple before setting the phaser back to its previous settings:: [23:03] I don't really understand what you mean, though, General. How could she be running if not on the local network? There's no progtable unit around here. [23:04] ::glances over at Ironsides as he eats and then reaches for a bottle of water:: [23:04] If Churchill doesn't go to M64 and I don't exist, then chances are the balance of power will be irrevocably changed there. The Pfhor won't be as serious a threat. And I'm sure everyone would be happy that the Prime Directive wouldn't be violated so many times there. [23:04] ::shakes her head:: The good of the many outweighs the good of the few. If we do not send Churchill to M64, as has been suggested we must, do we condemn hundreds of thousands - possibly millions and billions - of beings in the future to suffering and death? [23:04] (portable -_-) [23:04] <> [23:04] ::sighs:: How do you know that for sure? The future of this universe has already changed. [23:05] ::shakes his head:: Nevermind.... [23:05] What if this universe is our own? What if what is happening is exactly what is supposed to happen? [23:05] And what if it's not? [23:05] Quantum signature scan. ::blinks:: I can't believe we haven't run one. [23:05] If this universe ::stamps foot on deck:: is the real one, then who are we to tamper? [23:06] ::Davies shrugs as well and looks down at the screen again, sifting through the code:: Something the primitives woudln't understand, huh? [23:07] ::turns to Davies:: Dr. Davies, are your tricorders sensitive enough to detect differences in quantum signatures between ourselves and your own people? [23:07] ::shakes his head:: Mrs. Davies, you have no idea. [23:07] ::fights off a headache, Xanadu's fourth chamber coming to mind:: [23:08] ... ::pauses a moment and blanks the screen out:: I think there's a supercollider assembly at Berkley Tech that'll do that pretty reliably. [23:08] ::smirks at Ironside:: Oh, I think you'd find i'm pretty adaptable if you'd give me a try. [23:08] ::grimaces:: Do we have any of our own tricorders still in tact? [23:09] Sorry. ::leans back:: I'm not the expert. ::glances at Savant as he lays back on one of the biobeds:: [23:09] We better. I had one on me when we came here. [23:10] ::reaches down to her side for it, then sheepishly realizes:: It must have fallen off when I fell down the shaft. It should be just outside here somewhere [23:10] ::opens the bottle and sips:: [23:10] ::glances back at Savant as she taps the screen back on:: so what is my Muse doing with all of you, then? Does she get into as much trouble as she does with me? [23:10] . . . Mother. . . [23:10] ::heads out of the medbay towards the shaft she fell out of, looking around for a tricorder on the deck, asking if anyone's seen one:: [23:11] ::nods and follows after D'Rall:: [23:11] ::perks up a bit:: Savant got into trouble when she was younger? [23:12] ::Grins at Savants' rather pained expression:: Oh, all the time! She's a little hell raiser [23:12] ::Grins at Davies:: Do tell [23:12] Ms. D'Rall, you must find that tricorder - our universe or not, we cannot afford to leave our equipment lying around in the past. [23:12] ::She places her hands on her face and groans quietly:: [23:13] ::listens intently, thinking this will surely be good:: [23:13] ::rolls eyes:: Temporal contamination my ass :P If we reset this timeline to the "Everyone on Churchill suffers" one, this ship from this time will not exist. [23:13] ::brings his hands to his face and rubs his eyes, realizing that he's gone almost a day without sleep now:: [23:13] Would you take that risk? [23:13] There won't BE anything to contaminate because we'll have taken the ship into the future or whatever when we can spend all the time int he world cleaning the ship [23:14] For all you know, asking Davies about quantum signature scanning just gave her an idea for an invention she never MADE in our universe ::glares at her, then goes back to searching:: [23:14] She's very fond of surprising people, catching them off guard. She likes making noises to spook people, or make them think that they're hearing things. [23:14] ::nods:: Find it, then, and let us confirm once and for all where we are. [23:14] ::tosses aside a plate of bulkhead metal, and underneath is the tricorder - blackened and burnt by the grenade blast:: [23:15] ::shifts a bit into a more comfortable position, and goes into a meditation exercise to clear his mind, promptly falling into sleep shortly thereafter:: [23:15] ::she laughed:: I can remember when she changed the fabricator queues so that they'd make nothing but cold carrot puree [23:15] *** Parts: Ironside (~fdeziel@CPE00207800d5fc- CM000a739ba73f.cpe.net.cable.rogers.com) [23:15] ::picks up the tricorder gingerly and hands it to Tal:: [23:15] I thought we were aiming for the turbolift shaft [23:15] Not the spot in front of. [23:15] ::takes the tricorder:: We need new travel agents. ::smirks:: [23:16] ::smirks:: Sounds delightful [23:16] More like we need to never use that damn catapult [23:16] ::follows Tal back into Sickbay:: [23:16] Mother, do you really have to do this? I had them all tricked into thinking I was responsible. [23:17] ::chuckles as he listens and flashes Savant a smile:: [23:17] ::re-enters sickbay and unfolds the tricorder:: [23:17] ::winces as the outer case cracks in response to her action:: [23:17] Damn... [23:17] ::grins:: You've gotten very good at your tricks if that's a trick, sweetie. You had me fooled. [23:18] ::grins a rather weak smile back at Zachery:: [23:18] You beamed Lt D`rall over there in her bathing suit into my Marine Barracks [23:18] ::notes that the control and readout surfaces appear to be in relatively good condition:: [23:18] Thats considered behaving? [23:18] ::raises an eyebrow at that:: [23:18] ::taps the controls and sighs with relief as the tricorder comes alive:: [23:19] ::Glares at Prescot:: [23:19] Do you know how long it took me to stop the hollering? [23:19] ::activates the diagnostic systems:: [23:19] and restore any kind of order? [23:19] ::winces, hearing Prescot regaling THAT tale:: [23:19] ::laughs:: What else has she done? [23:19] ::sits on the foor and hunches over, arms covering her head:: [23:20] Tricorder diagnostics report that it is in working condition. [23:20] hmm now let me think.. [23:20] This is quite fascinating. A whole new side to Savant. [23:20] ::moves to Davies' side and activates a series of protocols before scanning her:: [23:20] Not so much a new side as an old side in a new light. ::smiles at Davies:: One moment, Doctor. [23:21] ::still beaming,but not really laughing:: Oh, Muse, don't be so shy. These are your friends here... ::she trails off and looks at Tal:: excuse me? [23:21] ::Shakes her head at Tal in amazement:: [23:21] it's considered poor manners to scan someone without at least asking them first, you know. [23:21] I believe shes done a few other things to LT D`rall but I cant remember them off the top of her had ::motioning towards D`rall:: [23:21] ::holds up the tricorder and examines the readings:: I have the baseline reading now of this universe's quantum signature. [23:22] honestly... ::looks at Savant:: are all the people from the future this ill-mannered? [23:22] ::glares at Prescot:: [23:22] No Mother. Just Commander Tal. [23:22] ::turns to D'Rall and runs the tricorder over the young helmswoman while laying a hand on her shoulder:: At ease, Lieutenant. [23:22] Remind me to have someone reprogram your Spectre's computer the next time you go flying. [23:23] (m) Must be glare at Prescot day... [23:23] ::chuckles:: I can see why my parents loved doing this to me... these looks are priceless [23:23] ::mutters to herself, at this point quite red:: [23:25] ::grins at Savant and drops her eyes back to the screen.... the smile on her face slips off slowly, however, and she goes pale:: [23:25] Besides, Savant shouldn't be remembered for her joking. How many times has she saved your life? ::gives Prescot a pointed look:: [23:25] She's saved mine at least twice. [23:26] Cant remember really... But that doesnt mean we dont like her. This is a rare opertunity, and one must seize the oppertunity when time comes [23:26] ::Davies actually taks to the screen directly, not to the hologram:: sweetie.... where... where's your memory net? [23:27] ::concludes the scan and compares it with the baseline taken from the scan of Davies:: [23:27] ::swears under her breath:: [23:27] Well? ::to Tal:: [23:27] you're completely corrupted... what happened? ::finally looks up at the hologram:: [23:28] Ever hear of the predestination paradox? ::grimaces:: [23:28] ::Savant grins sheepishly at her creator and shrugs a bit::. . . surprise? [23:28] Predestination paradox... ::frowns:: No, not really. I'm afraid my high school didn't offer a course in technobabble. [23:29] It appears that we are living one - the quantum signature scans match to seventeen decimal places. Only six are needed to verify universal consisancy. We are in our own universe. And it would appear that we are about to be responsible for all that is to happen over the next one hundred one years in M64. [23:29] ::looks down at his uniform and frowns at the state it's in:: [23:29] ::sighs heavily:: [23:30] Great. So I exist but I can't keep my grandparents from suffering along with the rest of the Churchill crew. ::punches the bulkhead next to her - with rather obvious results:: [23:30] GAAAAAH! ::cradles her now smashed knuckles:: [23:30] But.. how are you... you shoudln' be running... how do you... ::lost for words:: [23:31] I don't know, Moth- ::she looks over in Maiko's direction:: [23:31] -er... [23:31] ::watches D`rall and stands, moving over to her:: Hey, take it easy. [23:31] :::brings the knuckles up to her mouth and starts sucking on them:: [23:31] ::takes Maiko's bruised hand begins to massage the knuckles:: Tell me, Ms. D'Rall, if you had to suffer so that your children and grandchildren could live a better life, would you? [23:32] And how do you know that you would even be born if your grandparents were not marooned in M64 [23:34] Ms. D'Rall - Maiko - your grandparents suffered because they were building a life. Suffering is often inherent in such an activity. Whether here in this galaxy or in M64, there will be suffering and death. They are a part of living. [23:34] ::Stares at the screen:: you're completely corrupted. How are you functioning? [23:34] ::Glares at Tal, then gestures at Valentine:: Why don't you ask her. The Admiral told her everything. I'm sure she'd be more than interested to be asked if she wants to spend the rest of her life suffering and barely making a life. [23:35] I don't know really. I just know that I am.. better than before, even. [23:35] In fact, I don't think any of them should be forced to. [23:36] You have no right to change their lives on what YOU want for the future. [23:36] ::smiles a bit, her eyes a little wet:: You really *have* grown up, haven't you? [23:36] ::turns and storms off towards the opposite end of sickbay:: [23:36] It is not about what I want! [23:37] It's about what is right! [23:37] ::frowns and watches her, wondering if he should try and talk to her or not:: [23:39] ::Savant gets up and goes over to Davies:: I guess I have. I don't feel like it, but.... I guess I have. [23:40] ::she smiled broader and put a hand up to Savants' cheek - of course, it passed right through the hologram. That broke the moment between them, and Davies looked away:: [23:40] ::sighs and cautiously approaches Maiko:: You ok? [23:40] Oh, I'm wonderful. I exist, and I have to participate in exiling my grandparents. [23:41] I figure next week I'll be getting asked to destroy an entire civilization [23:41] ::she sniffs and wipes her eyes with the back of her hand:: I - i've gotta get back to engineering, Muse. It's a mess back there. [23:41] ::shakes her head:: This is what I get when I try to use tact, Dr. Davies. ::indicates D'Rall crying in the corner:: [23:42] ::leans against a biobed and listens:: There are so many sides to this story, and we cannot always have what we want. [23:42] ::sniffs:: [23:42] It's not what I want. [23:42] ::blinks and looks over at Velorna, coming bakc to the present:: I gues you could use some practice. [23:43] ::shrugs and goes back to the tricorder:: [23:43] Up until she told me that this is the same universe... I was actually ready to give my life so my grandparents could stay here in the Milky Way. ::wipes a tear off her cheek:: [23:45] ::nods:: It is hard to accept things sometimes, and painful, but that is the way of things. For what it's worth...I'm sorry it has to be. [23:46] ::looks at Zachery pointedly:: If you could give your wife a longer life, would you give up yours? [23:46] ::she smiles at Savant again:: I'll be back when i'm done my work there. [23:46] If you could guarantee she lived the rest of her life happy and content, would you? [23:46] I'll upload a register set there. [23:46] Without me? [23:47] ::beams:: I'll see you there sweetie. [23:47] ::calls out to Davies as she retreats to the access tube again:: there aren't any holoemitters in Engineering, Mom! [23:47] ::nods:: [23:48] ::quiet through the tube:: right! [23:48] *** Quits: Davies (Savant@h24-66-44-227.ed.shawcable.net) (Quit: ) [23:49] ::runs a hand over his face and shakes his head slowly:: I don't think it would be possible. Her happiness without me would never be complete. There would always be something missing. Would that be fair of me? To rob her of that? [23:50] :sigh: It's different for me. There are other helmspeople. Clarence, as much as we love each other, wouldn't miss me because I'd never have been. Instead of surviving a rough existence, the crew of the Churchill would be here. They'd be better off. [23:51] ::listens absently to D'Rall, musing over what she's saying wile occupying the better part of her brain trying to comprehend what she's discovered on the tricorder readings:: [23:52] In your thinking they would be, but what if you're wrong? What if their lives would turn out to be even worse then this? [23:53] What would be worse than being used to a comfortable life in space but being stranded on a planet the rest of your natural life. Almost every convenience you were used to taken away. The pressure of survival forcing you to break your own ethics. My people suffered greatly those first few years. They deserve to be here. [23:57] I could think of a few things. Orion slaves...ferengi slaves, assimilation... [23:57] ::stands and moves to D'Rall's side, crouching down painfully beside her and Zachery:: [23:58] I can assure you that being a slave of a Ferengi is much worse than anything that your grandparents will face. [23:58] ::Winces as she settles herself:: [23:58] ::glares at Velorna:: My people might have made a difference here. [23:59] In fact, maybe the FKR might have never happened. Who's to say someone from the Churchill might not have been the father of a master diplomat here in the Milky Way? [23:59] Your people did make a difference, Maiko. They made a difference where they were, which is all any of us can hope to do. [00:00] ::shakes her head:: That war would have happened no matter who the diplomat involved was. Klingons and Romulans engage in wars. That is what their cultures do. War was not a matter of choices made or not made. It was only a matter of time. [00:01] ::stares sadly at her young protogee:: Maiko, we know what happens if Churchill enters the Exodus Gate. As the Ferengi would say, we've seen where the Great River has flowed. [00:02] *** Quits: Savant (Savant@h24-66-44-227.ed.shawcable.net) (Quit: ) [00:02] There are fates worse then death. ::sighs:: [00:02] But if we prevent that from happening - if they never suffer, never struggle - who's to say where the River will flow? [00:03] And how ::crosses arms:: do you know? [00:03] What the future holds. [00:04] We know what the future holds if they go. That future is one of hardship and struggle, that is true. But it is one of hope for all the peoples of both our galaxies. [00:04] If Churchill does not go, the future is uncertain, at best. In theory, such an event could wipe out existance as we know it. [00:05] Time is a fickle master. One small change can destroy a world...or a race. [00:05] For that universe. You do not know what happens here. [00:05] heh. [00:05] Don't you get it? This is our universe. [00:06] ::lets loose that nervous laugh again:: [00:06] For better or for worse, this tricorder shows without a doubt that the future we have seen is the one that must happen if we are to exist. If our universe is to exist. [00:07] That tricorder went through a GRENADE EXPLOSION. [00:07] The diagnostics could be screwed up. It could be totally malfunctioning [00:08] I have run sixteen different diagnostics functions. I have scanned three pairs of individuals - three from our crew and three from this time, including one of the Klingons. [00:09] Ms. D'Rall, this tricorder functions well enough to tell me that my children came close to certain death when we set off that grenade and that they live only because I received immediate medical attention. [00:09] ::sighs:: Life is the way it is for a reason. Whether we like it or not, it's a fact. Part of me would do anything to bring Eveline back, but the wiser part of me knows...it would be wrong. It would only cause more pain then it has already. [00:11] Well I think you're both wrong. [00:11] Would you condemn my children - trillions of children both born and yet to be born - to non-existance simply because you do not wish for your grandparents to suffer? What arrogance, to presume that you, Maiko D'Rall, can end suffering. It is as much a part of life as joy and celebration and peace. [00:11] ::seethes:: Don't you preach to me about ending suffering. I joined this ship, this CREW to end my people's suffering at the hands of the Pfhor... [00:12] ::::hands clenching and unclenching - clearly her fighting side is coming back...:: [00:13] And would you have your entire race - including the descendants of your grandparents - wiped from existance by the Borg because you could not bear the thought of your forebearers undergoing hardship? [00:14] At least my descendants would be there to die fighting instead of trapped in some dustball of a galaxy! [00:14] ::thinks:: Does she know what the Borg do? ::looks at Maiko:: Have you ever seen them? [00:15] They would not die. [00:15] Borg, Pfhor, Klingon, does it MATTER? [00:15] They would suffer in ways that are unimaginable to any who have not survived the assimilation process. [00:16] I had the priviledge of speaking to Jean Luc Picard once, just after he was made ambassador to Romulus; and only then did I have an inkling of what the Borg can do to a person. [00:18] ::glares at the two:: And being tortured by Jjaro technology ISN'T worse? [00:18] It matters, Maiko, because without Churchill, we all fall down. Fighting, dying, assimilated - this galaxy will fall. And Churchill and M64 are all that stand between our peoples and utter anihilation. [00:18] Tortured? Or tested? Used to preserve what was, to maintain what is, and to inspire what will be? [00:19] You don't know that for certain! What if one of the Churchill's crew is the great great great grandfather to someone who designed a weapon to beat these "Bohrg"?!? [00:19] *** Parts: ObsSantiago (breathless@C9-dhcp-20-52.resnet.ucsc.edu) [00:20] ::face is livid and red in anger:: [00:20] (q) And you don't know that he is... [00:20] That's a big if, versus what we KNOW to be true. [00:20] What you know to be true was BEFORE *this* happened [00:20] No. [00:21] What I know to be true is BECAUSE this happened. [00:21] The future isn't engraved in stone with the words "Thou shalt not desecrate thy future!" [00:21] Again, Maiko, we have seen how the River flowed. [00:22] Damn your river! And DAMN ALL OF YOU! ::Backs away from Tal and Zachery:: [00:22] ::grits her teeth:: [00:22] ::sighs in resignation:: [00:22] ::takes a step forward and wraps the smaller woman in a bear hug"" [00:23] ::sighs and shakes his head, trying not to take it personally as he knows she's not thinking straight:: [00:23] ::making her way towards the door - one should be careful as there's a phaser on the table behind her....:: [00:23] ::wrestles against the grip, planting her foot and trying to use it to throw Tal off balance:: [00:23] LET ME GO! YOU HAVE NO DAMN RIGHT...! [00:24] ::holds tightly to Maiko and whispers in her ear:: It's not your fault. [00:24] ::watches from a distance, hoping Tal can get through to her:: [00:25] ::spins Maiko around and holds her so that she can look the younger woman in the eyes:: It's not your fault. [00:26] ::tears streaming down her face, screaming in rage:: THEY DON'T DESERVE IT! They don't... :::shudders violently, breaking down:: no..... it's not right... it's not fair... to them... [00:26] ::whispers:: It's not your fault, Maiko. [00:27] ::quite literally falls apart, slumping to the floor in a quivering mass, sobbing:: [00:28] ::sags with Maiko and swallows hard:: Ultimately, there is no fate but what we make. They will have to choose for themselves. You are right that the future is not set. Their choices will determine everything. [00:28] But if that is true, and if they spawned you, then I know that Churchill - and your grandparents - will do what they feel is right. And you should be proud - very proud - to know a heritage such as that. [00:29] ::sobs:: but they don't have to suffer... [00:29] No. [00:30] But they will, because they will choose to do so. [00:30] ::shudders:: They don't have... ::snif:: the choice. We aren't giving it to them.. [00:30] ::walks off, letting them have their time alone as he swallows a lump in his throat, recent events having brought back painful memories but he tries not to let it show:: [00:31] ::shakes her head:: You're wrong. All we can do is give them the choice. [00:31] If they aren't struggling for what they believe, then they will fail. [00:31] I believe, however, that they will make the right choice - no matter what that choice might be. [00:31] ::sobs herself to sleep hearing those words, exhausted:: [00:32] simend [00:32] sim end [00:32] *** CoroLCARS changes topic to '=/\= U.S.S. Coronado, NCC-97901... http://www.jestertrek.com/coro2400/ =/\= Sim's over for this week; time to relax! =-= Three-time winner of UCIP's Bergen Award for excellence in simming!' [00:32] *** CoroLCARS sets mode: -m