Mission 2.2 The Constant of C

[Constance Lafayette]

Captain's Log

"Ours will the happy task of testing what the engineers are calling the Damocles Drive' during our first outing onto the Gamma Quadrant. We will be joined in this prolonged excursion outside our home quadrants by the USS Tempest and the newly commissioned USS Challenger, upon which our former Chief Engineer Mr. Torngate who will be joining my former protege Mr. Waring.

The new drive, rather lugubriously named the Á¢â,¬ËœWarp Twelve Cross Junction Refraction System Engine Pod Version Twelve Point One' will, as the name implies, will allow our ship to travel at a stable warp factor of twelve. We are to make no attempt to conceal this new technology- it will be the Federation's barging chip and a show of technological might."

{Bridge}

The Gamma quadrant. It was so alien, yet the stars just looked like stars. Captain Constance Lafayette sat on the bridge sipping at a very bitter smelling tea. She was lacking her normal PADD, the one she had somehow managed to keep at her side since the Academy days. Instead she seemed to be "reading" the blank starfield on the viewscreen.

Just a few hour ago they had passed through the wormhole to the Gamma Quadrant once their ship ID codes had been identified by the Dominion representative. Constance did not want to use to wormhole again. She knew it was reasonably safe and even stable, as it was of artificial, Federation, design. Still... she didn't like how it had made her feel and she'd quietly excused herself from the bridge after the trip and had vomited quite profusely once she was alone.

Since then her stomach had settled and her mind was now on the warp twelve test.

"Mr. Dorran. How goes the prep of the testbed engine? Are we going to be on schedule for our launch in thirty two minutes?" She inquired flatly, though somehow she managed to make it sound inquisitive and maybe even a little anxious (in her own sort of... bland way).

[Katheryn Brighton]

Mess Hall

After a workout in the holodeck, quick shower and change into a clean uniform, Katheryn had decided to check out the rest of the ship and more importantly the Mess Hall before starting her next duty shift. She hadn't had much chance to visit preferring to go straight to her quarters especially after the last mission but now it was time for her to hopefully meet other members of the crew and get to know them properly. Apart from Steven, she had briefly met a couple of the others on the away team and that was about it and knew she didn't want to just be on her own, remembering how she struggled after the mission to Killer Cove and not wanting to let her demons win. It was something she hadn't really talked about but if she could manage and not think about it too much she knew she would be fine plus it didn't help that she was stubborn about these things but put that down to her childhood and her need to prove herself. Putting her thoughts to one side she walked in to the Mess Hall carrying a PADD and looked around before finding a seat near one of the windows, unsure what to have so decided to think about it first whilst she read the letter from her parents.

[Race Warez]

[Bridge]
Things just keep getting exciting on the star ship Athena Race thought to himself as he reset the sensors for space normal scans.

He was very happy the alien lifeform had surrendered without a serious fight. As a fleet officer he had been ready to flood the brig with a basic redox gas which would have caused great pain to their prisoner, perhaps even killed it. But in the end the prisoner surrendered and was taken to a Federation penal colony. Race was relieved, though the clean up must have been quite a chore. The virus samples had been delivered to Rigel and the Athena prepped for her mission in the Gamma quadrant.

The trip though the worm hole had been exciting! It was the kind of thing that got Race out here in the first place. Not just the incredible distance and speed, but also a chance to test the sensors under extreme conditions.  All in all, he had recorded very little useful information, but he had gained skill operating, focusing and retuning the systems.

Now they were preparing to field test this new warp 12 engine. So at least he knew all sensors were operating at top efficiency.  All there was to do now was await orders to begin.

[Caleb Brighton]

[Sick Bay 1-Sterilization Station]
Caleb looked at himself in the mirror at the medical sink. He had splashed water on his face earlier and pep talked himself to death internally. Though he had been cleared to come back, he felt an uneasiness. He had to tell himself this was a new slate. This time it would be like new.

"Come on... let's do this... this is no different than the time when you were stuck in that godforsaken jungle." As Caleb thought this he heard his tricorder go off that signaled someone needed help in sick bay.He then put his hair into a neat ponytail and began to steralize himself to greet the patient who needed help. 

[James Carter]

[Gym]

James was admittedly not doing well. He frequently found himself wondering if he was himself or just a copy made by the Q for their own amusement. Somehow he'd successfully slid under the radar and dodged psychological council, something he in actually probably needed. Never the less he found himself standing in front of a punching bag taking out as much of the built up aggression as he could. He had become so lost in the workout that he nearly missed a call over his comm badge which was sitting on a table not far from him. Mr. Carter, you have a video message from a Lt. Tessa Warren. Would you like me to play it now.

James rushed to his comm badge and tapped it to reply. No, put it in my office computer please. I'll take a listen when I get there, thank you. As he looked at the time he let out a long sigh. He had plenty of time before he started his shift, but not enough to continue his workout. Without another word he left for his quarters to get dressed and then to his office to listen to the message.

[Malcolm Adeyemi]

[Holodeck]

"So I stand like this?" K'Shore asked for what was perhaps the tenth time.

"Yes." Mahak said with infinite patience. "Dominant leg cocked back. On the balls of your feet..."

The Vulcan continued giving the Andorian proper instructions on his stance. Mahak wore a pair of silver and black gym shorts, black lace up boots and black gloves with silver bands at the wrists. K'Shore was wearing a pair of white trunks, gloves and boots that went well with his skin tone. Both men stood inside of a simple boxing ring with no light outside of the one shining down on them from above. Mahak felt it was more efficient to eliminate distractions like a crowd and so on for his first lessons.

"Now, attempt to hit--"

The Andorian was already lashing out with a quick but sloppy hook at Mahak's chin. If it had landed it would have been a knock out punch. Easily, the Vulcan side stepped him and counterattacked, scoring a straight jab at his opponent's jaw.

"You move quick, Vulcan, but is it quick enough!?" K'Shore began dancing around the ring with zero footwork, spitting out a constant stream of trash talk.

Mahak let him run his mouth. When he wasn't dodging punches from the other man he got in a few of his own.

When his opponent tired Mahak snapped into attack mode. His was not furious or exciting like a boxer with emotions. His strikes were clinical and devastating.

Right cross to the chin. Follow up jab to the nose. K'Shore raised his guard high like he'd been taught, but the Vulcan chose that moment to go low.

His gloved fist impacted so solidly with the Andorian's flat stomach that the breath was knocked out of him with a great whoosh. K'Shore fell to his knees.

Mahak stepped back and caught what little wind had left him during his attack. Mentally, the Vulcan was counting.

At eight, the Andorian security officer found his feet.

"You pack a punch for a quiet little guy!" He said delightedly. His teeth had a faint blue sheen where he'd started to bleed.

Mahak raised an eyebrow at the other man's tone.

"You were beaten and yet you exult."

"An Andorian always exults in battle, especially if his opponent is worthy. You are. Now tell me how to defend against that last part so I can knock your ears off next time!"

[D'Vid]

[Crew quarters - corridors]

During the time of waiting on the shuttle, D'Vid had the chance to read the DATA PADD on the USS Athena. He was excited to be part of the testing of the new Damcles Drive. The Athena was going to be tested to go up to warp 12. That was impressive for this time for Starfleet ship.

He had seen the future of awesome, powerful temporal engines that could travel through time. What he knew was more what he supposed to know, but he knows on what he knows of now, not share what he knows of the future. He had shared a little with his fellow El-Aurians on the Discovery. Strange how they were all transfer to other ships.

He had the chance to drop off his heavy duffel bag in his crew quarters with his room mate. Who was not present at that moment. He had not unpacked it. Just dropped his duffle bag near a bed and figured he learn what bed he had. So he had left the empty crew quarters and went straight to the Athena's Engineering room. He had study the lay out of the ship. Finding the engineering room should not be that hard.

As he was heading the direction he was thinking about how he liked the USS Discovery and the crew. He had accomplish things there. He started to befriend an Doctor that everyone seemed to not like because he had bad table sides. D'Vid knew there had to be more to Cottle himself. There was. There was a man who was alone, lost in his own hurt past and D'Vid discovered the man had a soft spot. A secret he would never tell a soul. The Discovery had remarkable crew. He would soon enough forget them.

Well, not everyone but MOST he will. He was not going to lie he would.

He was nervous too. They Discovery never knew he was WRITTEN in their time line by his future relative in the Time Temporal Agency. His files were classified, but now he was not all sure he was supposed to be here on his own life, or was he actually working for someone. He had never gave that thought. All he knew he was running and hiding from the future cause his relative had him live in their time for few decades. They were discovered. They jumped in old Earth time. They were found. Then he was placed here in this time line in Starfleet by his nephew. Then the last few months he found a capsule that was a sign from his nephew. It was a marking of a hello. There was nothing special. So he was really not sure he was here for. Lord knows, he could be an agent without him knowing or he was a tool or something. A day will come and he will learn the truth. There was much mystery to his future nephew and him. And who knows that was really his relative or was someone closer relationship. He had to wait it out. He was only three hundred years old and he had a many, many years ahead of him.

[Engineering]

The Engineers doors opened, D'Vid stepped in to a busy, positive energy engineering room. A lieutenant officer gone to greet D'Vid. "2nd Petty Officer D'Vid reporting to duty," D'Vid said to an attention.

The Klingon male name Targ stared down at the PO. "I don't recall seeing or hearing your name, Petty Officer," he replied in a gruff rough voice. The Klingon was suspicious of the new comer.

"I have my transfer here on the Data Padd, Lieutenant," D'Vid said, holding out his padd. Is it possible there was a mix up. Great two moons of old El-Aurian don't be messed up with Temporal Agency, he thought to himself.

The broad muscle Starfleet Klingon took the padd, took a look at it and read it. His bushy brows frowned between his eyes. "Stay here," the rough looking Engineering said to D'Vid. He held his right hand up to signal to stay his spot. Sir," the Lieutenant moved toward to the Chief of Engineering "New transfer. Records share he's not in records."

D'Vid was confused he was able to drop off his duffle bag at his shared quarters, but he was not coming up on the records in the Engineering. He had wondered the Klingon was testing the El-Aurian. He stood there waiting upon his doom. 

[Leonard T. Scott]

{Crew Quarters}

With Dylan leaving, Leo for promoted to Second Officer. It was nice to know that his hard work want going unnoticed. This should have been a happy time, but he wasn't able to fully enjoy it as the tension between Cat and himself has only grown.

He was starting to feel hungry, so he finished getting dressed and exited his room. He still had a little bit before he was needed on the bridge, so he decided to go to the mess hall.

He walked to the turbolift.

"Mess Hall," he said.

A short time later he found himself at there. He walked over to the replicator.

Turkey sandwich with lettuce, mayonnaise, and mustard on white with a side of mustard potato salad.

He grabbed the tray and looked for a place to sit down. He saw Ash was busy with some other members of the crew. He turned to the other side and saw one of the fairly new members of the crew.

Mess Hall

After a workout in the holodeck, quick shower and change into a clean uniform, Katheryn had decided to check out the rest of the ship and more importantly the Mess Hall before starting her next duty shift. She hadn't had much chance to visit preferring to go straight to her quarters especially after the last mission but now it was time for her to hopefully meet other members of the crew and get to know them properly. Apart from Steven, she had briefly met a couple of the others on the away team and that was about it and knew she didn't want to just be on her own, remembering how she struggled after the mission to Killer Cove and not wanting to let her demons win. It was something she hadn't really talked about but if she could manage and not think about it too much she knew she would be fine plus it didn't help that she was stubborn about these things but put that down to her childhood and her need to prove herself. Putting her thoughts to one side she walked in to the Mess Hall carrying a PADD and looked around before finding a seat near one of the windows, unsure what to have so decided to think about it first whilst she read the letter from her parents.

"Is this seat taken?" Leo asked politely, if a bit stand-offish.

[Katheryn Brighton]

{Crew Quarters}

With Dylan leaving, Leo for promoted to Second Officer. It was nice to know that his hard work want going unnoticed. This should have been a happy time, but he wasn't able to fully enjoy it as the tension between Cat and himself has only grown.

He was starting to feel hungry, so he finished getting dressed and exited his room. He still had a little bit before he was needed on the bridge, so he decided to go to the mess hall.

He walked to the turbolift.

"Mess Hall," he said.

A short time later he found himself at there. He walked over to the replicator.

Turkey sandwich with lettuce, mayonnaise, and mustard on white with a side of mustard potato salad.

He grabbed the tray and looked for a place to sit down. He saw Ash was busy with some other members of the crew. He turned to the other side and saw one of the fairly new members of the crew.

"Is this seat taken?" Leo asked politely, if a bit stand-offish.

Mess Hall

Katheryn had finally put the PADD down long enough to select what she wanted to eat and certainly felt no guilt in her choice of cheeseburger,fries, sides and a chocolate milkshake. Normally she would of gone for something more healthy but she had learned long ago that life was to short not to enjoy yourself every once in a while and besides if she really wanted too she would soon burn it off by doing one of her workout programmes. She had returned to the table and picked up the PADD again to finish reading the letter it was the usual kind of news about what her mum and dad had been up too lately, asking the normal questions about life in Starfleet but with the added surprise that they had decided to retire early and move back to Norway. She was happy for them and looked forward to seeing her true home again if she ever got the chance too. Katheryn had been that engrossed occasionally popping a fry into her mouth that she hadn't realized that someone had walked over to her until she heard a male voice politely asking if the seat was taken. She placed the PADD on the table and looked up at him with a friendly smile " No not at all please join me " she replied in her usual soft friendly tone.

[Leonard T. Scott]

Mess Hall

Katheryn had finally put the PADD down long enough to select what she wanted to eat and certainly felt no guilt in her choice of cheeseburger,fries, sides and a chocolate milkshake. Normally she would of gone for something more healthy but she had learned long ago that life was to short not to enjoy yourself every once in a while and besides if she really wanted too she would soon burn it off by doing one of her workout programmes. She had returned to the table and picked up the PADD again to finish reading the letter it was the usual kind of news about what her mum and dad had been up too lately, asking the normal questions about life in Starfleet but with the added surprise that they had decided to retire early and move back to Norway. She was happy for them and looked forward to seeing her true home again if she ever got the chance too. Katheryn had been that engrossed occasionally popping a fry into her mouth that she hadn't realized that someone had walked over to her until she heard a male voice politely asking if the seat was taken. She placed the PADD on the table and looked up at him with a friendly smile " No not at all please join me " she replied in her usual soft friendly tone.

{Mess Hall}

"Thanks," Leo replied as he sat down. "So, how long have you been aboard? What do you like about the ship? Mine names Leo, by the way."

He cut himself off before he got too deep into rambling. Really this had been the first interaction with anyone off duty since the spat first happened.

[Ashlynn Ren Morgaine]

[Mess Hall]

After the USS Athena - A's maiden voyage, Ash had spent a considerable amount of time making the mess hall less of a... (well, mess) and more of a delicatessen orderly enough for Captain Lafayette while simultaneously cozy enough for Cat. It had taken a while, but it had paid off; at meal times the mess hall was positively bustling. Times like this, Ash hardly had time to think - which was good considering where her thoughts usually wandered to. The day Dylan left, Ash had embarrassingly cried on his new uniform while saying goodbye, and though they talked frequently she still missed him terribly. It was better to stay busy.

At the moment, Ash was currently standing near the bar on the far side of the room, having an animated discussion with a Tellarite engineer. It had been going on for about five minutes now, and although Ash was doing her best to remain pleasant, her hands had moved to her hips and her smile, though still present, was noticeably stiff. Her patience had just about run out.

"As I mentioned before, sir, the Captain allows me to prepare one course traditionally each meal time, and that's only because our original XO had a spectacular love of food. Most ships rely solely on replicators. Now, I release the meal schedule for the week in advance so everyone knows what I will be serving. If you are not interested in what I'm offering, we have two completely functional replicators where you can make what you wish. Today the option is angel-hair pasta with an optional meat or garlic-herb sauce, bread sticks, and tossed salad. NOT mushroom soup with winter vegetables. I would be happy to replicate that for you, or prepare it on a later date, but I will NOT be preparing it for you right now." Anyone within earshot would have known this was Ash's eighth time telling the stubborn engineer this - not that he seemed to care. In fact, he seemed to be enjoying himself.

"Stupid girl! I don't want my soup replicated. I want it fresh. And if you were any sort of competent mess hall manager, you'd move to serve my wishes! I'm surprised the Captain even let someone as unqualified as you into this position!" The man slammed his fist on the table as he spoke, his voice becoming louder and louder as he continued but not quite reaching a shout. Yet.

Ash had had enough; she leaned down and braced herself up on the table in front of the stout man, moving so that her face was only a few inches in front of his own. "Like it or not, sir," she hissed, "I am in charge of this mess hall, and I will not change how I run it for solely for your benefit. If you have a problem with that, then I suggest you leave." She pushed herself back and looked down at the stubborn Tellarite, who was currently seething where he still sat, wiped her hands on her apron, and walked away, rolling her eyes as she did so. Taorv Zhefann liked to stop in and find something to complain about on a regular basis, but Ash didn't think she'd ever adjust to it.

With the other half of his argument out of range, the engineer moved on and went to the replicator for his soup (to Ash's relief), and Ashlynn allowed herself a brief moment of rest as she leaned on the bar to look out over the mess hall's guests. Everyone seemed to be fine at the moment, but Ash did a double take as she saw a familiar face in an unfamiliar spot.

{Mess Hall}

"Thanks," Leo replied as he sat down. "So, how long have you been aboard? What do you like about the ship? Mine names Leo, by the way."

He cut himself off before he got too deep into rambling. Really this had been the first interaction with anyone off duty since the spat first happened.

Is that Leo? I wonder who he's talking to... Cat had talked to Ash a little about her falling out with Leo, but Ash had been confident that they could work it out eventually. She had run into Leo a couple times in the mess hall since then, but he'd always eaten alone and seemed a little down - which was highly unusual for someone who was usually eager to crack a joke and smile. Ash then let herself get lost in thought, gazing in Leo's direction, but not really watching.

[Katheryn Brighton]

{Mess Hall}

"Thanks," Leo replied as he sat down. "So, how long have you been aboard? What do you like about the ship? Mine names Leo, by the way."

He cut himself off before he got too deep into rambling. Really this had been the first interaction with anyone off duty since the spat first happened.

The PADD and its contents were soon forgotten as he sat down and started to ask questions before he introduced himself and when he then cut himself off she understood why as sometimes she thought she rambled too but offered him a friendly smile and answered him. " Pleased to meet you Leo, my name's Katheryn and I haven't been on the ship that long " she replied pausing to pop another fry into her mouth as she thought about his next question. " I came aboard before we left Columbus and so far I haven't had much chance to explore other than the holodeck but so far I'm liking what I've seen".

[Christian Grix]

[Brig]

The repairs to the brig had taken a little longer than expected after the acid had burnt through the floor, luckily the containment field held and apart from the big hole in the floor and so collateral damage they had got off light.

Steven kicked back the chair and raised his boots to the desk as he sat there looking over the duty rosters on his padd. The away team had responded well and he had got to know a lot about the membersa of it and on the whole he had positive thoughts about them, his only reservation was the Xo who was something of a loose cannon and in Black's opinion had placed the whole crew at risk twice in the short time he'd known him.

He smiled as he set the roster for KC, he knew he had made a good decision requesting she be transferred with him as she had proved she had his back in a corner

[Leonard T. Scott]

The PADD and its contents were soon forgotten as he sat down and started to ask questions before he introduced himself and when he then cut himself off she understood why as sometimes she thought she rambled too but offered him a friendly smile and answered him. " Pleased to meet you Leo, my name's Katheryn and I haven't been on the ship that long " she replied pausing to pop another fry into her mouth as she thought about his next question. " I came aboard before we left Columbus and so far I haven't had much chance to explore other than the holodeck but so far I'm liking what I've seen".

{Mess Hall}

Leo took in the information as he took a bite of the potato salad. He tried to look thoughtful and interested. He swallowed and continued.

"Well that's good. I'm not sure how much you've heard, but I have just recently been elevated to Second Officer. I really only hope to succeed Dylan, and not replace him," he said with some candor.

[Katheryn Brighton]

{Mess Hall}

Leo took in the information as he took a bite of the potato salad. He tried to look thoughtful and interested. He swallowed and continued.

"Well that's good. I'm not sure how much you've heard, but I have just recently been elevated to Second Officer. I really only hope to succeed Dylan, and not replace him," he said with some candor.

Katheryn smiled as she listened only pausing occasionally to take a bite of her food and when he mentioned his promotion and how he hoped to succeed and not replace Commander Torngate again she understood where he was coming from. If she was ever promoted higher then that's what she wanted to achieve too follow on from whoever had the job first. " Apart from here and Columbus I've never felt more comfortable anywhere else until now and yes I did Congratulations " she replied sincerely " I understand where your coming from too and I'm sure you'll achieve that".