Athena Mission 2.6: Gender Bender

[Katheryn Brighton]

[Philo - Bay of the Tides]

Kay had a feeling that Cal would be getting irritated with the XO and if they had been alone on the ship he knew what would help calm her and work it out together but it seemed like for the foreseeable future the away team would be staying on the planet until this could be figured out. He loved how passionate Cal was when it came to getting the chance to learn something new and yes the situation they were now in had been unexpected but if everyone could remain calm like Cal and the Captain perhaps a solution would be found sooner than later.

Moving closer to Cal but didn't need to say anything as they had their own private code whenever it came to having each other's backs or show support. Listening to the conversation going on around him and taking in every word especially when the Philosian's answered the away teams questions and explained how they reproduced and the technology that was used.

He understood the references and why they had adapted the Dominion technology after all she believed that everyone should be given the chance to have a family and again understood that the methods to do so weren't always the same but at least they were willing to help rectify what had happened and hoped the treaty would still go ahead.

[Ashlynn Ren Morgaine]

[Philo - The Bay of the Tides - Bushes]

Her eyelids fluttered open as a groan escaped her lips, and Ashlynn took in the leafy branches in front of her face. She was confused for half of a second before the events that had lead to her lying on her side within the bushes surrounding the edge of the beach came rushing back.

She had been invited by the Captain to experience the ceremony and had gladly accepted, donning a comfortable sun dress and a pair of sandals before joining the away team. Upon reaching the planet, she had done her best to remain in the background until the ceremony started - when she was promptly swept into the celebration by a couple locals. Her head started pounding about two dances in, but she ignored it. Headaches were common enough for her, so this was nothing special.

As the evening progressed, however, the pounding in her head worsened and her vision started to swim as dizziness set in. She did her best to hide it, and continued eating and drinking with everyone else, but eventually the nausea was so overpowering that she couldn't do anything but stumble into the bushes. Anyone who observed her from afar would have assumed she was intoxicated.

She emptied the contents of her stomach and crawled a short distance away on shaking arms before collapsing and sinking into unconsciousness... So here she was again. Ash pushed herself into a sitting position slowly, wincing and closing her eyes against the dizziness that threatened to topple her again. Getting to her feet after that was another struggle.

Within a few minutes though, she stumbled out of the bushes and back into the crowd, making her way over to a group of Starfleet officers in formal attire. She didn't recognize any of them, despite their oddly familiar characteristics, but she blamed that on her foggy head. Staggering into a man with unruly red hair she mumbled an apology before asking, "Could one of you escort me back to the Athena? I don't seem to be feeling that well..."

[Catrin Maddux]

[Philo - Bay of the Tides]

Cat had been enjoying herself so thoroughly, the change from the ceremony didn't register at first. The counselor had been teaching a group of Philosians Welsh drinking songs, and learning a few of their own in return. All in the name of camaraderie and diplomacy, of course. She went to swat at a strand of hair that had fallen into her face when she felt... A beard?

"What the bloody hell was in those drinks?" The low gruff rumble of her voice startled her. He looked around for someone she recognized, and ended up lumbering off to the nearest group of Starfleet uniformed officers.

"I'm relatively sure spontaneous gender reassignment isn't standard diplomacy protocol." Cat cringed at how much the sound of her, his voice sounded like her Da.

Within a few minutes though, she stumbled out of the bushes and back into the crowd, making her way over to a group of Starfleet officers in formal attire. She didn't recognize any of them, despite their oddly familiar characteristics, but she blamed that on her foggy head. Staggering into a man with unruly red hair she mumbled an apology before asking, "Could one of you escort me back to the Athena? I don't seem to be feeling that well..."

Cat reached out and steadied Ash, her newly male form towering over the girl by about a foot. Instantly concerned by her flushed and disheveled appearance, he fussed over her like a mother hen.

"Oh sweetie, you've been ill." He began digging in his bag for a medical tricorder and limited medical supply. "We ought to get you to sickbay soon, but I may have something to help if you're still feeling any pain or nausea."

The burly ginger may have looked fierce, but his mannerisms were all concerned friend.

[Constance Lafayette]

"I understand Doctor I have been... exposed to more than enough Dominion technology as of late to wish I had a better understanding of it before it was used on me." He said bluntly.

"It's right there in the hut." The leader said shrugging, "Feel free to examine it. This is just one of many and we export them to our colonies now."

Constance nodded before continuing. She felt... fiery. Or at least more... she... er "he" didn't know. "Bold"? "Needing to compensate for something"? Was this what having an ego felt like beyond the simple need for a recognition for technical competence? It felt... good? Or at least that was what his altered endocrine system was telling her.

"And D'Vid. Examine the technology. Get a handle on what we are talking about here. Let's see if the Doctor and you can work backwards." She explained.

Constance nodded as Ash arrived, "Take good care of Ms. Morgaine counselor."

Just then a scuffle broke out. An officer from the Security department, here on leave, got into a tussle with another office. They had both been biologically female and where now noticeably more aggressive. Apparently they had both been involved with the same guy (now biologically a woman) and their paramour had accidentally revealed the game he'd (now she'd) been playing on them inadvertently with a slip of the tongue. The two suiters got into a fight and when a Philosian (one who had taken the change) got too close one of the fighters accidentally clocked the Philosian across the jaw. The jaw went limp, even from the distance Constance was at. Philosians, it appeared, had brittle bones and her security officer had just flat out shattered the alien's. It was clear that the Philosian was not dead- just

"Commander. Can you handle this disciplinary issue. I'll take the diplomatic..." Constance said, his voice a growl; low and private to his XO as he examined the Philosian leader's look of abject terror.

"This biological change is quite the shock for us. I'm terribly sorry for their attitude- the offense was not intentional. I would be happy to offer our medical services to rectify-"

Constance's diplomatic overtures were cut off with a death-glare from the leader.

"I, Jim'quel the 3rd, invoke the right of the changed! Blood for blood! Any on our world that strikes one of the changed must be killed so that our species might propagate. This has been our law since the beginning of time!" The demeanor of the Philosian had changed from jovial and relaxed to seething with rage.

[Katheryn Brighton]

[Philo - Bay of the Tides]

Kay had both been surprised and relieved at the same time when Ash appeared and even though she was ill the fact she hadn't gone through the gender change showed that maybe there was a way out of this. However once the Captain spoke again the hope of a quick fix soon disappeared as he realised there was a still a lot of work to do and would help Cal as much as he could plus it would allow them to spend some time together as he knew how Cal wouldn't rest until she found the solution.

Then just when things were already weird enough a fight broke out between two of his officers over the person they had apparently both been seeing resulting in one of them hitting a Philosian. Naturally Kay was appalled by this behaviour as he was their department head and had thought he taught his officers how to behave when on an alien planet and yes the whole situation and changing genders would affect people differently but still personal matters should be kept private and they had not only embarrassed themselves but the whole ship. He heard the Captain speak to the XO about dealing with the disciplinary side and wanted to be there in fact he was angry and disappointed with their behaviour and would also like to speak to them.

Then came the revelation from the Philosian leader that because of his officer's actions they would need to die and honestly didn't know how they were going to come out of this as there was no way that they could let one of their own be killed. Any thoughts of speaking to them would have to wait for now but he certainly wasn't going to forget.

[James Carter]

"I understand Doctor I have been... exposed to more than enough Dominion technology as of late to wish I had a better understanding of it before it was used on me." He said bluntly.

"It's right there in the hut." The leader said shrugging, "Feel free to examine it. This is just one of many and we export them to our colonies now."

Constance nodded before continuing. She felt... fiery. Or at least more... she... er "he" didn't know. "Bold"? "Needing to compensate for something"? Was this what having an ego felt like beyond the simple need for a recognition for technical competence? It felt... good? Or at least that was what his altered endocrine system was telling her.

"And D'Vid. Examine the technology. Get a handle on what we are talking about here. Let's see if the Doctor and you can work backwards." She explained.

Constance nodded as Ash arrived, "Take good care of Ms. Morgaine counselor."

Just then a scuffle broke out. An officer from the Security department, here on leave, got into a tussle with another office. They had both been biologically female and where now noticeably more aggressive. Apparently they had both been involved with the same guy (now biologically a woman) and their paramour had accidentally revealed the game he'd (now she'd) been playing on them inadvertently with a slip of the tongue. The two suiters got into a fight and when a Philosian (one who had taken the change) got too close one of the fighters accidentally clocked the Philosian across the jaw. The jaw went limp, even from the distance Constance was at. Philosians, it appeared, had brittle bones and her security officer had just flat out shattered the alien's. It was clear that the Philosian was not dead- just

"Commander. Can you handle this disciplinary issue. I'll take the diplomatic..." Constance said, his voice a growl; low and private to his XO as he examined the Philosian leader's look of abject terror.

"This biological change is quite the shock for us. I'm terribly sorry for their attitude- the offense was not intentional. I would be happy to offer our medical services to rectify-"

Constance's diplomatic overtures were cut off with a death-glare from the leader.

"I, Jim'quel the 3rd, invoke the right of the changed! Blood for blood! Any on our world that strikes one of the changed must be killed so that our species might propagate. This has been our law since the beginning of time!" The demeanor of the Philosian had changed from jovial and relaxed to seething with rage.

[Bay of the Tides]

Carter groaned slightly holding one finger out in the direction of the leader. "No." She replied bluntly. "If you really want your treaty you'll forget what happened. I'll take care of it." The first officer said walking to the two of them and forcibly separated them. "Stop it! Both of you or I'll kill you both myself! Is that bloody understood!?" The woman barked out. Despite her now much smaller stature she was still intimidating when she needed to be.

Carter glanced first at the officer to her right and then to the one on her left. "Now, I haven't quite decided how I want to handle you both, but just know you both are going to face steep consequences for your actions here. I should have you both court marshaled, and I still may. But first I want you BOTH to go over there and let them know how sorry you feel." It was clear to anyone watching that she was genuinely angry. Something that her male counterpart rarely was.

[Caleb Brighton]

"Commander. Can you handle this disciplinary issue. I'll take the diplomatic..." Constance said, his voice a growl; low and private to his XO as he examined the Philosian leader's look of abject terror.

"This biological change is quite the shock for us. I'm terribly sorry for their attitude- the offense was not intentional. I would be happy to offer our medical services to rectify-"

Constance's diplomatic overtures were cut off with a death-glare from the leader.

"I, Jim'quel the 3rd, invoke the right of the changed! Blood for blood! Any on our world that strikes one of the changed must be killed so that our species might propagate. This has been our law since the beginning of time!" The demeanor of the Philosian had changed from jovial and relaxed to seething with rage.

[Philo - Bay of the Tides]

Noticing the commotion and the immediate aftermath, Cal sprang into action. Though Carter was handling the two arrogant fools who hit the poor the Philosian. Cal began to scan the Philosian with her tricorder. She swore under her breath. "Damn... They really did a number... Thank god no brain damage or other bones broken," She thought. She glared at the two officers before immediately reporting to the captain.

"Captain I have ran analysis. I would like to ask permission to have my staff beamed down to help with the healing. It is very unfortunate how those two acted. I will be honest that she needs medical attention, but has non life threatening nor threatening to a mating process. I promise to have her right as rain if allowed for my staff to work with the locals on this,"Cal began by bowing in respect to the Philosian leader once she was back to the group.

"I will be supervising them, but I do with to see that device still. I want to reverse the effects on the Athena crew so that we do not risk any more scuffles like this. I can tell you I've honestly seen a few in my days. I've had to resolve back when I ran the clinic. One time a staff member almost ruined decades of a relationship. I know how important mating is and I want to not only ensure it is successful, but I also wish to understand it. Just in case I need to help birth someone of your wonderful species leader Jim'quel the 3rd, " Cal said in her most motherly and respectful tone.

[Leonard T. Scott]

{Philo - Bay of the Tides}

During the day's festivities, Leo had gotten separated from Cat, but as the party was so enjoyable hadn't entirely realized it until the change happened. Everything went wibbly wobbly, a bit like when he had a nip too much Scotch, but far less enjoyable. After having a sit down, she tried to stand up on knees that had gone weak. Her mouth felt funny, as she ran her tongue over her teeth.

"New teeth, that's weird." Her voice came out with a soprano Scottish lilt. "New voice too. Ah... yeah those are new too," she added with a sheepish glance down. With a sudden worried thought, his mind turned to Cat. While he didn't relish the thought of her seeing him like this, she had to be confused or scared by what was going on. A scuffle had taken place between Leo's current location and where the rest of the crew, and he hoped Cat, was.

The joyous festive air of the ceremony was completely gone now, with an angry tension taking over. She thought she heard something about a death threat against one of the Security officers. A throng of violently distressed Philosians separated her from the rest.

"Oi now, I dunno what's goin' on here, and frankly I ain't had nothing to do with those bloody giants and their tussle. I've got no problems with ya, and just wanna get back to my crew." The distress she felt had her Scottish brogue coming in thick. Thankfully one of the Philosians recognized her as being the mate of the friendly-red haired alien they had been drinking and singing with.

"Go and be with your mate, human. Our anger, though great, is not directed towards a mated pair."

Confused, yet relieved, Leo scurried past them once they parted to let her through. Finally making it to the small group of gathered officers, she said with a sigh, "Maybe next time they ought to add spontaneous sex change to the travel brochure."

[Ashlynn Ren Morgaine]

Cat reached out and steadied Ash, her newly male form towering over the girl by about a foot. Instantly concerned by her flushed and disheveled appearance, he fussed over her like a mother hen.

"Oh sweetie, you've been ill." He began digging in his bag for a medical tricorder and limited medical supply. "We ought to get you to sickbay soon, but I may have something to help if you're still feeling any pain or nausea."

The burly ginger may have looked fierce, but his mannerisms were all concerned friend.

[Philo - Bay of the Tides]

Ash blinked up in confusion at the unfamiliar crewman in front of her. He acted as if he knew her, but she had no idea who he was. He was vaguely familiar, but... She shook her head - carefully so as not to aggravate her dizziness further - and replied, "I'm sorry, but I... I don't seem to remember your name. I'm sure I've seen you in the mess hall before... Thank you... Thank you for... helping -"

As Ash spoke, her skin grew gradually paler as her voice weakened, eventually cutting off completely as she was sick for a second time... Right onto the nice officer's dress shoes. She gripped the officer's shirt during that entire, undignified affair to keep herself upright, and, when her body finally stopped heaving, she slumped against him, weak and shaking all over. She blinked up at the officer once more with an apologetic wince on her face, whispering, "I'm so sorry. I tried to turn away, but I guess I wasn't fast enough..."

In that moment, she couldn't remember the last time she was this miserable; she would have given anything to be curled up in bed with Dylan or her friends taking care of her. Instead she was here, on a foreign planet surrounded by strangers. And angry strangers at that. She winced as the sounds of a fight reached her ears, but couldn't find the energy to move to see what was happening.

[Constance Lafayette]

Jim'quel the 3rd was not impressed by James' bravado but did seem to stop its roll.

"Proceed." Was it it said, eyes fixed on James.

The two scrapping security officers shot James a sullen glance and each, in turn, caught Kay's eye to beg for some help.

"Yes M'am..." One said and the other nodded.
"You star-" The second began to say but a sharp elbow to the ribs ended that conversation quickly. Still rubbing the wound, the two men (originally female), approached the leader of the Philosians.

"I'm... erm... sorry. I guess." The first said sheepishly, though insincerely.
"Me too. I didn't mean to punch your... changed. I meant to hit Sarah." He admitted.

Jim'quel didn't seem to accept the apology but heard their words and acknowledge them. However, Cal's offer of help did seem to defuse tensions a bit.

"You can beam down whatever medical staff you need. Our own medical staff will be supervising." Jim'quel announced bruskly.

Constance (Conner?) stood firm and resolute, stiffer than normal if that was possible.

"It is as my first officer says. No malice was intended and our people will fix the situation. Jim'quel the 3rd... I beg your indulgence with us. We seek nothing but peace and trade."

"PEACE?!" Thundered Jim'quel the 3rd, "You want peace but practice violence?"

"We are not without our failures Jim'quel." Constance admitted, looking downtrodden, "But we learn from them."

Jim'quel eyed him. Then he turned to look at the other members of the crew.

"Very well. I will ask for one pittance..." The leader said, "So that you might learn... I will ask that one of your number suffer a broken jaw as well."

[Katheryn Brighton]

[Philo - Bay of the Tides]

Kay noticed the way the two officers looked at him for help after the XO had disciplined them and told them to apologise but simply shook his head negatively as he agreed with everything that Commander Carter had said and if he'd had the chance to speak to them then he would of done the same. He watched as they apologised to Jim'quel and was glad that they agreed to Cal helping them and the situation seemed to calm down slightly apart from when it was mentioned that one of the crew should suffer a broken jaw.

He reasoned that it was a small price to pay in order for the treaty to go ahead and stop someone from being killed and came to the conclusion that he be the one to suffer the broken jaw. He knew that Cal wouldn't like it but as the pairs senior officer he felt as though he should take the punishment and set an example.

He sought Cal's eyes with his own and leaned down to kiss her firmly putting in every emotion he felt about her into the kiss before speaking to the group. " As the guilty parties senior officer I would like to offer to be the one to suffer the broken jaw so we can move on and continue with resolving this and the treaty".

[D'Vid]

[Planet side]

The El-Aurian female was shock at her fellow crew members reaction on what had happened around her. She literally was shock and forgot what her commander officer told her to do. Something of checking technology.

The Philo-bad temper was accusing them for their violent behavior. Is he whacked out of his old head. She placed her hands on her small frame hips. Glared at the host.

"Sir, Pardon me. Put yourself in our shoes. How would you like to be rip out of your male ego body into a female?" she asked him. She allowed him to think on that. "You think you would be rather peeved? Think on it!" she was boiling and felt it. Lord knows, she was going to be court martial. She patted her little feet. This man was reminding her of an universal controlling god type race which made her ill. She stepped forward to him. "Look...just allow us to fix who we are...I mean, I am not being me. I am not like this. But you cross a line buddy." She toss a hair out of her eyes. What was she doing? Standing up front of this brute and telling him what was on her mind.

She held her finger toward the guy. "Hold on. Give me a moment to take a breather to calm down...I mean, imagine being ME in this body. How would that make you think?" that last statement was her hard swing trying to get a grand slam home run!

It was time to give her badge and ask for a leave. She had messed up her own career. Thanks by her female inner beast that roared out for its attack.

[James Carter]

[Bay of the Tides]

Carter sighed rubbing right between her eyes fora moment before she walked directly over to D'Vid and placed her hand on the El-Aurian's shoulder. "Walk away, take a breath. I know you're mad, you have every right to be, but right now you need to go collect yourself." The XO said in a gentle tone. Carter stayed there for a second before turning back to the leader of the Philosian.

She walked directly to Kat. Maybe the Carter name is inherently reckless. The first officer thought to herself. "I can't ask you to bare this cross for us."

[Caleb Brighton]

[Philo - Bay Of The Tides]

Cal was taking it all in. So much had changed in the last few moments, it was overwhelming. Kayla thought that Jim'qel the third was acting a little irrational. However, she tried to place herself in the leader's shoes. Their traditions though being shared, were absolutely sacred. Those two knuckleheads were lucky that Jim'qel was feeling generous. What happened next seemed to slow time.

Kay looked into her eyes and something deep inside her clicked. Though she had changed, she still loved the man in front of her. She knew long ago how deeply she was in love with Kay before the change, but something in her realized that she didn't care the gender, but she loved the person in front of her. The kiss they shared was magic. Not that their past kisses weren't anything less, this added something new. He finally began to understand just how Kay felt about him before the change.

When Kay suggested that he take the broken jaw, Cal bit her tongue. In any normal circumstance, she would object to the notion. She then thought about it and she would have done the same thing before the change and even after. She squeezed her lover's hand letting him know he had her full support. She gave him the same look he gave her a few months ago. They seemed to be on a level where they could speak without talking.

[Katheryn Brighton]

[Bay of the Tides]

Carter sighed rubbing right between her eyes fora moment before she walked directly over to D'Vid and placed her hand on the El-Aurian's shoulder. "Walk away, take a breath. I know you're mad, you have every right to be, but right now you need to go collect yourself." The XO said in a gentle tone. Carter stayed there for a second before turning back to the leader of the Philosian.

She walked directly to Kat. Maybe the Carter name is inherently reckless. The first officer thought to herself. "I can't ask you to bare this cross for us."

[Philo - Bay Of The Tides]

Cal was taking it all in. So much had changed in the last few moments, it was overwhelming. Kayla thought that Jim'qel the third was acting a little irrational. However, she tried to place herself in the leader's shoes. Their traditions though being shared, were absolutely sacred. Those two knuckleheads were lucky that Jim'qel was feeling generous. What happened next seemed to slow time.

Kay looked into her eyes and something deep inside her clicked. Though she had changed, she still loved the man in front of her. She knew long ago how deeply she was in love with Kay before the change, but something in her realized that she didn't care the gender, but she loved the person in front of her. The kiss they shared was magic. Not that their past kisses weren't anything less, this added something new. He finally began to understand just how Kay felt about him before the change.

When Kay suggested that he take the broken jaw, Cal bit her tongue. In any normal circumstance, she would object to the notion. She then thought about it and she would have done the same thing before the change and even after. She squeezed her lover's hand letting him know he had her full support. She gave him the same look he gave her a few months ago. They seemed to be on a level where they could speak without talking.

Kay looked at Cal when he felt her hand squeeze his and knew despite her not saying anything especially about not liking his suggestion that he had her full support. Noticing the look she gave him and again there was no need for words as he understood that look as it was the same one he had given her not so long ago and loved how their relationship maintained that secret language that only they shared.

In that moment it also made him realise that despite this unexpected change it hadn't affected their feelings for one another and no doubt gave them a better understanding of how they both worked. Not wanting to let go of her hand just yet he turned to face the XO as she spoke to him and had already decided that nothing was going to change his mind.

" I know Commander but it has to be done and even if we hadn't changed genders I would of still offered to do it" he replied and meant every word.