USS Andromeda NCC-50007 - SD 11308.03

Starring:
	
Lea			as	Ship Manager	
			and	Sannia
			and	Romae
			
Jim Koeller		as	[CO] Captain Ethan Knight
				Commanding Officer
					
Evan Taylor		as	[FCO] Ensign Jardon Lori	
				Flight Control Officer	

William Davis		as	[SOPS] Commander William Davis

Karriaunna Scotti		as	[CMO] Commander Sierra Knight-Sky
				Chief Medical Officer 

Chris Esterhuyse		as	[CNS] Commander Varesh
				Counsellor

Andrew James		as	[OPS] Cadet Lora Inaji
				Chief Operations Officer
			and	aOPS La				

Absent:

Conor Power		as	[XO] Commander Conor Power
				First Officer

Jack Farfri		as	[CSO] Lieutenant, Junior Grade Xerus Vorln Ivara
				Chief Science Officer 

Andrew Dalrymple	as	[CEO] Lieutenant, Junior Grade Tavish Duncan McQuade
				Chief Engineering Officer

Trevor Howard		as	[CTO] Ensign Felicia N'Leth Thorson
				Chief Tactical Officer

Summary: The Cataria remains just 6.6E10 km (.007 lys) from Romae's vessel and the designated rendezvous point on the border of their system. Cataria's faked engine troubles, accompanied by a plasma discharge, thier sole excuse for delaying from the meeting.

Meanwhile, the search aboard the Oncinta has yielded nothing. Despite the Cardassian-coded-and-language message hidden in the white noise ("Please tell none," "Do not give them the [fish (or) child]," and "If you tell, they will find me.") there is no evidence of another child or adult hiding out on the Oncinta.

Sannia, the sole survivor of the attack on the Oncita, remains at Varesh's side, empathically attached "at the hip" - if "hip" can means most-vulnerable-aspects-of-the-mind-and-psyche. She remains fixated on finding Immarri, where she can join her family...the family that died on the Oncinta. For now, she is in good humor, and the brunt of her empathic projections is filtered through Varesh's calming hand...at his own peril.

The rest is dampened by the telepathic/empathic dampening fields installed under the direction of McQuade, Inaji, and Lori. These have been placed only over the bridge and main engineering, due to their high power costs. As a result, all other areas of the ship - including sickbay - continue to feel strong-but-manageable echoes of whatever Sannia is feeling at the time. This places ever-so-slightly on edge anyone within her range.

Romae, an agent of the Heathercrist system, awaits Cataria.

~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~Begin USS Andromeda: "Give or Take" Mission 4 - SD 11308.03~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~

Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
*FCO*: Ensign, can I get a most recent status?
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
::sitting in the CMO's office with Sannia on his lap, checking on the ship's location::
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
:: Down in the medical lab almost finished with one of her projects, another far from coming close to what she was hoping.::
OPS_Cdt_Inaji says:
@::looks over the operations console at the message again::
FCO_Ens_Lori says:
@::standing on the bridge of the Oncinta:: *CO*: Captain, we have searched the entire ship but no sign life other than our own.
Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
*CNS*: Varesh, have you been able to get any useful information from our patient?
Sannia says:
::Traces a path on the screen, from where the computer says their current location is, to the star she's identified as Immarii:: CNS: Not long now... ::Sighs with a sense of satisfaction::
Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
*FCO*: Has all relevant information been transferred over to the Cataria?
FCO_Ens_Lori says:
@OPS: Have you made any more progress with the message?
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
::coming to a stopping place, she leans back to lightly massage her temples::
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
Sannia: We are meeting with someone from your homeworld, if this information is correct.
FCO_Ens_Lori says:
@*CO*: I believe so sir....
Sannia says:
CNS: Oh... ::Looks and feels crestfallen for a moment, then suddenly looks up with reigned excitement:: The Honor Bearers?

ACTION:
A signal flashes on aOPS La's console. Romae's vessel is hailing the Cataria.

CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
::shakes his head:: Sannia: I don't think so. I will see if I can find out. ::reaches around her again and taps out a query::
OPS_Cdt_Inaji says:
@::shakes her head:: FCO: No, that was it. The communication went dead after the last portion.
Sannia says:
::With sudden conviction:: CNS: Good. I want you to take me.
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
~~~~ CNS:  How are you holding up?~~~~

ACTION:
A signal flashes on aOPS La's console. Romae's vessel is hailing the Cataria.

aOPS_La says:
CO: Incoming hail from Romae, Captain.
Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
aOPS: Onscreen.
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
~~~CMO: I'm coping. It's straining my mind a bit, but I'm coping.~~~

ACTION:
The image flashes to the flur-de-lis-like symbol of the Heathercrist system, then after a moment, chances to reveal the 50-some-year-old Romae, seated on what appears to be her vessel's bridge.

Romae says:
$COM: Cataria: CO: Captain... we have been monitoring your engine trouble. Do you require any assistance?
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
~~~~ CNS: At least you have experience with little girls... they seem to adore you.~~~~  :: there is obviously a touch of humor in her mind to his.::
Sannia says:
::Absently traces her finger back along the path once more::
Sannia says:
::Starts to trace up again... and pauses::
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
Sannia: According to this information, there is someone called Romae on the ship. Do you know the name? ::skirts the conviction that he has to take her::
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
~~~ CNS: I would offer to reprieve you, but I question if she would leave your side.~~~~
Sannia says:
::Shakes her head:: CNS: No...
FCO_Ens_Lori says:
@::double checks consoles to make sure all important information has been transferred to the Cataria::
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
~~~CMO: I coped with Randi, after her, Sannia is a pleasure, even if she can squish my mind without blinking.~~~
Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
COM: Romae: I appreciate the sentiment, but we're working on the problem as diligently as we can. It shouldn't be too much longer. Thank you for offering.
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
Sannia: I had to check to see if you did. ::pauses:: Why do you want me to take you to Immarii?
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
~~~CMO: If I knew how she would react to other kids, I would have enlisted your children already, but right now I don't think it would be the best thing.~~~
Romae says:
$::Smiles graciously:: COM: Cataria: CO: Of course, Captain. I imagine, given all the help you've graciously rendered our own vessel, you are quite capable of taking care of your own. However, our offer still stands, should you need it.
SOPS_Cmdr_Davis says:
::enters the turbolift nearest his quarters and orders it to the Bridge::
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
~~~~ CNS: I had thought the same thing. Brianna, though in her shy stage, still projects a kind heart.~~~~
OPS_Cdt_Inaji says:
@FCO: I'm picking up the message again in the background noise... it's on repeat... some of the coding errors have been fixed. It definitely reads 'child'.
Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
COM: Romae: Your offer is most appreciated. If we need any help, I will contact you immediately.
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
~~~CMO: Need I remind you that anybody she bonds with will be at terrible risk from her. I cannot subject your children to it.~~~
Romae says:
$COM: Cataria: CO: I hope that you do. However, we are concerned about the survivor in this time of need. We will join your location momentarily. ::Gestures to an officer off-screen, and the visual fades to the Heathercrist communications screen::
FCO_Ens_Lori says:
@OPS: Is it still stating the same thing?
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
~~~~ CNS: I wonder... I have questions about her mind paths.~~~~
SOPS_Cmdr_Davis says:
::drifts off the Turbolift towards the aft part of the Bridge, taking an open seat touching the console to activate it::
Sannia says:
::Looks up at Varesh as if she can't understand why he would ever question it:: CNS: Because...my mother, all my family... they're all there. Without them...I'm all by myself. I'm alo---
OPS_Cdt_Inaji says:
@FCO: Yes. And it's gone again... Perhaps this isn't a live transmission.
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
~~~CMO: How do you propose to get the answers?~~~
FCO_Ens_Lori says:
@OPS: Can you see if you can trace its origins? We need to figure this out.

ACTION:
Sannia gets "that look" on her face for a brief instant... before promptly vomiting on the deck beside them - luckily missing Varesh's pants by a millimeter.

Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
*FCO*: Ensign, I'm not sure I can hold Romae off for much longer. Do we have all the information we are going to get from the Oncinta?
OPS_Cdt_Inaji says:
@FCO: Yes, I've been attempting to do just that but no luck so far. It's hard to filter through the background noise.
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
~~~~ CNS: She would have to trust me to allow me in. But the child is not an experiment.~~~~
FCO_Ens_Lori says:
@*CO*: Sir, we encountered the message again but soon after it faded. We are trying to trace its origins. Other than that all other information has been transferred.
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
:: A beep and flashing light catches her attention. She scans through the results.::
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
::grimaces and swallows down the nausea, gently rubbing her back:: Sannia: I'm sorry, honey. I didn't mean to upset you. ::lifts her into his arms and takes her over to the biobed to do another scan on her::
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
~~~CMO: Do you want to meet her?~~~
Sannia says:
::Coughs lightly as she buries her face in Varesh's chest for the journey to the biobed::
Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
*FCO*: Understood. You've got five minutes before I'll need you all to beam back aboard the Cataria.
SOPS_Cmdr_Davis says:
::watches as the console lights up with sensor readouts; he pauses, waiting for someone else to chime in::
OPS_Cdt_Inaji says:
@::keeps working to trace the message origins::
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
~~~~CNS: I have the test results back. We can begin treatment of Maddicca. I am not needed for that.  Let me get the formula to the techs and we can do so. Might I suggest a more calming environment then medical?  Not that my place of work is stressfull~~~~
FCO_Ens_Lori says:
@*CO*: Acknowledged, five minutes. Lori out. ::taps his combadge then walks over to the cadet:: OPS: We have five minutes until we have to beam out.
SOPS_Cmdr_Davis says:
::sighs as no one does:: CO: Captain, a vessel is approaching at 1/4 impulse.
Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
SOPS: Can you identify?
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
::quickly picks something to combat the nausea, running it through the computer against Sannia's scans to make sure it doesn't disagree with her physically. Satisfied he presses the hypospray to her neck:: Sannia: This should make you feel better.
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
:: as she talks, she downloads the information and sends it to the lab to begin processing::
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
~~~CMO: The lounge? Or maybe something on the holodeck?~~~
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
~~~~ CNS: Arboretum~~~~~
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
:: standing, she begins to clean her workstation.::
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
::frowns at the scans:: ~~~CMO: Come to medical. Something is making her ill and I think it's the loss of her link with her family. I'm a poor substitute.~~~
SOPS_Cmdr_Davis says:
CO: It's this... Romae's vessel.
OPS_Cdt_Inaji says:
@FCO: Sir, it looks like the message origin is moving. By correlating the times and positions, I'd suggest the message is coming from Romae's vessel.
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
::sends a wordless mental query to the captain if he could have a quick word::
FCO_Ens_Lori says:
@::looks at the OPS:: OPS: Cadet, are you telling me the Romae's vessel is sending out the message?
Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
SOPS: Acknowledged. I figured they would get a bit antsy.
Sannia says:
::Nods a little at whatever Varesh says to her, but mostly remains listless for the moment::
OPS_Cdt_Inaji says:
@FCO: I'm saying that's what it looks like, yes. ::nods::
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
~~~~ CNS:  I am on my way.~~~~ ::leaves the area to be cleaned later or by another.::
FCO_Ens_Lori says:
@*CO*: Captain, it seems the message is coming from the Romae's vessel, sir.

ACTION:
Another light flashes on La's console...another incoming hail from Romae.

aOPS_La says:
CO: Sir, another hail.
Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
::sighs:: aOPS: Onscreen.
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
::makes her way quickly out the door and down the hall toward medical. As the glass doors slide open, she enters and makes her way towards Varesh, pausing at the side of the biobed so as not to startle the child.::
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
::keeps holding her hand:: ~~~CO: Captain, we might not have a choice in sending Sannia to her people... she's starting to deteriorate.~~~ ::makes it clear he's using mental communication, not to spook the child::
Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
~~~CNS: What do you mean "deteriorate"?~~~
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
:: looks at the readings::
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
Sannia: Honey, this is my friend Sky. She's a doctor with children of her own. So wanted to meet you and also to see if she can figure out what was making you ill.
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
~~~CO: She's losing organ function and she was just physically sick. It might even mean she's dying.~~~
OPS_Cdt_Inaji says:
@FCO: Yes... it's definitely coming from Romae's vessel. There's something else now.. "There is no..." that's it, repeating... There's a word missing.
Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
~~~CNS: Have Sierra look to see if she can determine anything.~~~
aOPS_La says:
::puts the hail on screen::
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
~~~CO: Already here - I called her first, but I thought you needed a heads up.~~~
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
::moves slowly, a gentle look in her eyes, as she approaches the child.:: Sannia: Hello.
Sannia says:
::Sniffles a little, not really feeling well:: CMO: Hi...

ACTION:
The screen once more passes from Fed Communications symbol, to Heathercrist communications symbol, to Romae on her bridge.

CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
::nods towards the scans:: CMO: Take a quick look at that?
Romae says:
$COM: Cataria: CO: Captain. Thank you for all your assistance. We are ready to regain into custody our ship and citizen now.
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
Sannia: I am saddened you are hurting. I might be able to find out why and help if possible. But to do so, I need to walk with you in your mind. ::gently she runs her fingers along the child's arm, sending out mental calming thoughts.:: May I do so?
Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
COM: Romae: You are most welcome. Once my team has beamed back aboard the Cataria, we will relinquish the Oncinta over to you. Sannia is in our sickbay being tended to. I do not recommend transporting her off just yet.
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
:: It was rare she used her skills of the mind. There were few people in her realm that needed the skills of The Tenets of Serin::
Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
*FCO*: Prepare to beam back aboard.

ACTION:
With Knight-Sky's touch of Sannia's arm, Sannia's mind and emotions abruptly and desperately grips at Knight-Sky's mind, like an infant's grasp or a drowning man at a life-line.

CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
CMO: Sky, she needs the emotional bonds. It's affecting her physically.

ACTION:
The constant droning of Sannia's emotions in the backs of minds is suddenly lifted from all but Varesh and Knight-Sky, as she links with them.

FCO_Ens_Lori says:
@*CO*: Aye sir. ::looks over to the OPS:: OPS: Time to beam out. Can we continue to track the message from the Cataria?
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
:: Not surprised, she lets the child in, sharing memories of her own children, while blocking other pertinent information.::
OPS_Cdt_Inaji says:
@::nods:: FCO: Yes, now that I know what I am looking for.
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
::She nods to her friend::
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
::takes the lead from Sky and shares more with Sannia from his own mind::
FCO_Ens_Lori says:
@OPS: Good... let's close out everything and prepare for transport.
Romae says:
$COM: Cataria: CO: Ah... so Sannia is the survivor. I am sorry to hear that. It is very difficult for a child to lose all.
OPS_Cdt_Inaji says:
@::shuts down the console and steps away:: FCO: Ready.
Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
COM: Romae: Right now we are trying to stabilize her. If she is transported over, it might kill her and I don't want to risk the life of a child.
Romae says:
$ COM: Cataria: CO: I understand and appreciate your concern, Captain, and will defer to your judgment regarding the welfare of Sannia, so long as you allow me and one of my doctors to evaluate her ourselves. We are a somewhat isolated people, and not much is known about our physiologies and medicines outside our world. We may be able to help.
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
:: Using the mental pathway she shares only with family, she passes basic information along to Varesh and Ethan.:: ~~~~CNS/CO: Intensely empathic, they create a kind of feedback loop with themselves. The child's grief is not consciously recognized, but unconsciously. She is holding it within and causing a type of toxin to her neuro-system.~~~~
FCO_Ens_Lori says:
@::nods:: *CO*: Sir, we are ready to beam out.
Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
COM: Romae: Of course. Let me check on things down in sickbay and have them prepare for your arrival.  I will contact you shortly.
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
~~~CMO: I got the feeling that if she vented it, it would kill me outright.~~~
Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
*FCO*: Understood. ::nods to aOPS to have them transported back to the Cataria::
aOPS_La says:
::energises::

ACTION:
McQuade, Lori, and Inaji dematerialize from the Oncinta, and reappear in transporter room 1.

Romae says:
$::Smiles gratefully:: COM: Cataria: CO: Thank you, Captain.
Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
*CMO/CNS*: Any problem with a doctor from the Heath homeworld coming aboard to check out Sannia?
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
~~~~CNS:  She cannot begin the healing process until that is recognized. However, I can... temper it some... make it distant as if time has gone by. Not knowing this species, I do not understand the extent of their abilities to deal with grief. If she is an example, it appears it is very hard for them.~~~~
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
::glances over at Sky, giving her an arched "it's your call" look::
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
*CO*: Do they know her people and understand their physiology as well as psy? If they do, then yes.  If they do not, they would be useless.
Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
*CMO*: Yes they do. Since they are a more xenophobic people, not much is known about the physiologies.
FCO_Ens_Lori says:
::rematerializes on the transporter pad in TR 1:: OPS: I suggest we head for the bridge.
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
*CO*: I can help the child, to what extent I do not know yet. If they are willing to allow us here while they visit, then the answer is yes.
Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
*Security*: Please head to TR1 to receive our guests and have them escorted to sickbay.
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
*CO*: I don't think she will allow us to leave her side... ::smiles down at the girl::
Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
*CMO*: You will insist that you must stay with the child while they are in sickbay.
Sannia says:
::Offers up a weak smile to Varesh::
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
:: As the child nestles within her mind, she eases the emotional stress:: *CO*: If Varesh is correct, they might not have a choice.
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
::strokes her hair, not letting go of her hand::
FCO_Ens_Lori says:
::exits the transporter room and heads for the turbo lift::
Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
COM: Romae: We are ready to transport you over. A security team will escort you to our sickbay.
Romae says:
$COM: Cataria: CO: Thank you, Captain. I will summon my doctor and transmit our coordinates.
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
:: Needing her full attention to begin, she waits for the arrival of the Heath doctor.::
Host CO_Capt_Knight says:
*TR1*: Energize as soon as you have the coordinates.

~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~Pause Mission - Time Lapse: 5 minutes~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~

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