Star Trek: A Call To Duty
U.S.S. Quirinus NCC-83942 - SD 10608.07

Starring:

Mitch Travis 		as 	Captain Sulek – NCO

…and…

Jeffrey Brown		as	Commander Kraight – QXO
Christopher Dickinson 	as 	Commander Billy Bob Powers Jr. – NXO
Kurt Goring	 	as 	Lieutenant JG Soriq Ahkileez – NFCO
James Homuth 	as 	Ensign Michael Jervase – QCMO
Karriaunna Scotti 	as 	Commander Azhure

                        …with…

Mike Jones		as	Skandranon
Lynda Anderson	as	Lt. A. Rochelle – QFCO

                        …with…

Mike Jones      		as 	Guest SM

USS QUIRINUS STARDATE 10608.07: "A Night to Rest - An Interlude Amongst Chaos" Part One (of One)

=/\==/\==/\==/\==/\= BEGIN MISSION =/\==/\==/\==/\==/\=

ACTION: Abruptly, the Quirinus crew find themselves waking up under a cool starry night's sky on a grassy knoll besides a stream.

Host NCO_Capt_Sulek says:
::eyes flutter open...he sees stars and feels a breeze....::Self: This is not logical.
QXO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: sits up, looks around ::
QXO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
NCO: Captain?
Host NCO_Capt_Sulek says:
::Rising:: Kraight: Commander.... welcome.
LtJG_Soriq_Ahkileez says:
::stirs, opening his eyes::
Q_AFCO_Lt_A_Rochelle says:
::gets to her feet and sees that RedWing is there with her and he hops up to her shoulder pad::
QXO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: looks around ::  NCO: Yes, but... welcome to where?
CNS_Azhure says:
:: Turns her head for sight of Bill.::
NXO_Cmdr_Powers says:
::Sitting in the grass::

ACTION: A rough voice speaks from behind them ... "You are in a soft spot."

Q_AFCO_Lt_A_Rochelle says:
Self: Interesting where are we?
QXO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
NCO: This is reminiscent of parts of the Construct...
QXO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: turns, looks for the source of the voice ::
Host NCO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: At this juncture, I do not even remember falling asleep... I was on the bridge of the Naftali... ::pauses::
QXO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
Voice: Hello? Identify yourself, please.

ACTION: A human sized creature on four legs stands behind them. It has the body of a lion, but the head of a bird of some sort, and grand brown wings. A griffon.

Host NCO_Capt_Sulek says:
Voice: A soft spot?
LtJG_Soriq_Ahkileez says:
::stares up at the stars curiously, feeling not his own mind but the mind within him reading them, trying to determine their old names::
Q_AFCO_Lt_A_Rochelle says:
NCO: Last thing I remember was being on the bridge of the Quirinus at the helm?
Host NCO_Capt_Sulek says:
::turns seeing the griffon::
CNS_Azhure says:
:: Turns to watch curiously, ignoring the fact there appeared to be a large blank in her memory.::
Q_AFCO_Lt_A_Rochelle says:
::grabs RedWing as he attempts to take off::  RedWing: You stay put and that is an order.
Host Skandranon says:
QXO: You may call me Skandranon. ::Wings flutter::
QXO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
Skandranon: Are you responsible for bringing us here?
QCMO_Ltjg_Jervase says:
::blinks, looking first at the creature, then around him, immediately suspicious::
Host Skandranon says:
QXO: No, you fell into here. This is a soft spot.  An area in the Universe where reality and time is not as stable as it usually is.  Sometimes people fall through the cracks.
LtJG_Soriq_Ahkileez says:
 ::slowly pushes himself to his feet, looking at the creature curiously::
N_CEO_Chandra says:
NXO: Where are we? And how did we get here?
Host NCO_Capt_Sulek says:
Skandranon: And how does one return to their own reality?
QXO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
NCO: Like the Tavern in the Construct.
CNS_Azhure says:
:: Quietly remains seated.::
Host Skandranon says:
NCO: Things tend to right themselves.
QCMO_Ltjg_Jervase says:
::raises an eyebrow at the mention of a 'soft spot'::

ACTION: Glowing blue flowers start to grow around Azhure.

QXO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
Skandranon: Are you a native of this place?
Host Skandranon says:
QXO: You could say that. I travel the soft spots of the Universe. I have no proper place in the true realms anymore.
Host NCO_Capt_Sulek says:
Skandranon: We have been in one of these junctions of time and space before.  A storm in the timeline.
Q_AFCO_Lt_A_Rochelle says:
::is standing just looking at the surroundings and watches the blue flowers grow around the CNS's legs::
CNS_Azhure says:
:: Reaches for one of the blue flowers and lightly caresses it.::
QCMO_Ltjg_Jervase says:
::surveys his surroundings a little farther, catching sight of azhure and just raises an eyebrow, but doesn't say a thing, at least as yet--listening as everyone else asks their questions::
QXO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
Skandranon: We would appreciate any help you can give us in returning to our own reality. Things there are not good, and we are needed.

ACTION: Tiny bits of electricity arc out of the flowers and travel up the CNS' arm. She is all atingle for a moment, but no pain.

LtJG_Soriq_Ahkileez says:
::approaches the creature, looking with inner eyes::
CNS_Azhure says:
:: Smiles as she pulls her hand back.::
Host Skandranon says:
::Clicks his beak:: QXO: I sense that. You have all been through great stress of late.
Host NCO_Capt_Sulek says:
Skandranon: So have many of what we now consider myths in our own time line travel these spots?
CNS_Azhure says:
:: Turns to look at the doctor for a moment.::
Q_AFCO_Lt_A_Rochelle says:
Self: That is an understatement.  I could have told him that.
QXO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
Skandranon: Yes. A great war has broken out. We must return to our reality, and try to stop it.
Host Skandranon says:
NCO: Many things travel the soft spots. Not all of them safe. Reality is unhinged here. You must be careful. Your own thoughts can create dangers untold.
QCMO_Ltjg_Jervase says:
::takes this opportunity to close the distance between the two, still not having a clue what to say to her:: CNS: How... did you...
Host Skandranon says:
QXO: You will return from whence you came with no time past. You need not worry.
QXO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
Skandranon: It has been a long while since any of us was able to avoid worrying.
Host NCO_Capt_Sulek says:
Skandranon:  Wise advice.  All: here we bring no violence with us.  It is important that we approach this time line as if it were a first contact.

ACTION: Suddenly the ground gives way beneath the NXO, and he plummets into a cavern below, right next to the Q crew ...

Q_AFCO_Lt_A_Rochelle says:
::RedWing ruffles his feathers and stretches them out as Anglina grabs his legs again::
QXO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: turns, kneels next to Powers :: NXO: Commander? Are you injured?
NXO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: oof ::
CNS_Azhure says:
CMO: How did I do what?

ACTION: Powers finds himself in a seeming shallow water.

NXO_Cmdr_Powers says:
QXO: I'm..... wet.

ACTION: Suddenly pallid hands and arms reach out of the water and grasp at him, trying to drag him under.

ACTION: Unearthly moaning is heard from the waters as they bubble. Restless.

QCMO_Ltjg_Jervase says:
CNS: Let's just say when you literally disappeared from Quirinus this wasn't exactly where, or how, I expected to see you again.
NXO_Cmdr_Powers says:
All: Oh holy.... :: begins to scramble, smacking away the things grabbing at him ::
QXO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: grabs Powers with two strong hands and tries to drag him out of the water ::

ACTION: Powers soon realizes these are Haisian corpses grasping at him. They moan ... asking for him to come back to them ... to return to them ... "Why have you forsaken us?" is a question asked often.

CNS_Azhure says:
:: Searches her memories and frowns::  CMO: I do not understand.
LtJG_Soriq_Ahkileez says:
::turns to watch the happenings curiously, overriding the compulsion to act that Soriq feels::

ACTION: Kraight, who has apparently jumped down to the rescue, finds a fight on his hands as he struggles to get the NXO get out.

QXO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
Powers: Clear your mind of troubling thoughts, Commander. Thought can manifest itself as reality here.
QXO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: keeps pulling ::
Host NCO_Capt_Sulek says:
All: We need to find a way to get them out.
Host Skandranon says:
::Watches on, turns to Ahkileez:: Ahkileez: You are not like other Vulcans.
QCMO_Ltjg_Jervase says:
::raises an eyebrow:: CNS: What's the last thing you remember, commander?
Q_AFCO_Lt_A_Rochelle says:
::Anglina clears her mind and keeps it that way relaxed and thoughtless::
CNS_Azhure says:
:: She feels slow in her responses as she turns toward the disturbance going on not far from her.::
Host NCO_Capt_Sulek says:
Skandranon: Could you possibly fly down and rescue our fallen comrades?
NXO_Cmdr_Powers says:
QXO: That's easy for you to say!  ::Tries to ignore the hands, ignore the thoughts ::
Host Skandranon says:
::Considers it:: NCO: It would be best if I were not involved.
LtJG_Soriq_Ahkileez says:
Skandranon: Vulcans? Ah yes, that is what he is. No, we are not like other Vulcans. ::smiles::

ACTION: Kraight pulls Powers away, and the hands and arms disappear under the water once more.  It goes still.

QCMO_Ltjg_Jervase says:
::decides to give her time to formulate a response, if that's actually what she's doing, but doesn't step away just yet::
Host Skandranon says:
::Ruffles feathers and steps away from Ahkileez:: NCO: You should watch that one ...
CNS_Azhure says:
CMO: I was... telling someone something... but I do not remember.  ::turns to look back at him.::
Host NCO_Capt_Sulek says:
::Calling:: Kraight: Can you use your climbing ability to get out?
QXO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: retreats several yards from the water's edge with Powers ::

ACTION: In the underground cavern, purple shimmering crystals begin to jut out of the walls ... giving them something to climb up on.

NXO_Cmdr_Powers says:
QXO: Maybe I should think about stairs.. or an escalator...
QXO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
NCO: I could, but I fear I could not carry Commander Powers as well.
QXO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
NXO: No need...  :: gestures at the crystals ::
QCMO_Ltjg_Jervase says:
CNS: Try, Commander. I don't know how, but whatever happened to you is connected to ensign Chandra.
QXO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
NXO: After you, Commander.
CNS_Azhure says:
QCMO: Chandra?
NXO_Cmdr_Powers says:
QXO: Thank you... Commander.  :: tries to find suitable holds to climb out ::
LtJG_Soriq_Ahkileez says:
::wanders over to look down in the hole, trying to decide whether to jump::

ACTION: The AFCO hears laughter, and can spot a group of hovering children glide across the far hills.

Host NCO_Capt_Sulek says:
Skandranon:  Lt. Ahkileez has recently had contact with another being.
QXO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
NCO: We're coming up, sir.  :: starts to climb up, behind Powers ::
Q_AFCO_Lt_A_Rochelle says:
All: What in the blue heavens is that?
Q_AFCO_Lt_A_Rochelle says:
QXO: Sir there are a group of hovering children in the distance.
Q_AFCO_Lt_A_Rochelle says:
::pulls her birds chain and attaches it to his foot and ties it to her wrist::
QCMO_Ltjg_Jervase says:
::remembers he's since been promoted, but Azhure likely wouldn't remember it:: CNS: Yes. You remember when he decided to try and break out of sickbay? ::is trying, however successfully or not, to figure out just what she remembers::
Host NCO_Capt_Sulek says:
::turning:: Rochelle: It would appear to be children.... Kraight: Understood.
Host Skandranon says:
NCO: I can sense. There are Old Things that are best left forgotten.
NXO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: grunts a couple times on the way up, a crystal here and there poking him in odd places ::
CNS_Azhure says:
:: Looks away with a frown::  QCMO: No... I do not remember... I remember him being there... I remember... another.  :: Distractedly looks over at Bill.::
QXO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
NXO: The being up above calls itself Skandranon. It tells us that this is a 'soft spot' in reality, not unlike the Tavern we visited in the Construct.
QCMO_Ltjg_Jervase says:
CNS: Azhure, you need to try and remember. It may be linked to the executioner.
NXO_Cmdr_Powers says:
QXO: Afraid I wasn't around for this... construct, you said?
CNS_Azhure says:
:: Quietly, not looking at the doctor.::  QCMO: The executioner is not what you think it is.
QXO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
NXO: Yes. A pocket universe. We were trapped there for about a year.
NXO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Scrambles over the lip of the hole and reaches down for his comrade::
LtJG_Soriq_Ahkileez says:
::ambles off by himself, taking in the scenery::
QCMO_Ltjg_Jervase says:
CNS: I need you to tell me anything you can about it.
QXO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: accepts Powers' hand :: NXO: Thank you.
QXO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: stands, brushes himself off ::

ACTION: The giggling children disappear over a far hill.

Host Skandranon says:
::Seems very uneased by the presence of Ahkileez::
QXO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
NXO: Welcome to the Soft Spot, Commander.
CNS_Azhure says:
:: Her voice quiets more:: QCMO: If things do not change soon, the result will be the loss of much life... :: Stands and moves over toward Bill.::
CNS_Azhure says:
QXO: Are you alright?
NXO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: looks around ::  QXO: Not bad.  It's a little dark, could use a moon or something.
Host NCO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight/Powers: Are you harmed?
QCMO_Ltjg_Jervase says:
::opens his mouth, about to say something, but blinks as Azhure decides otherwise, shaking his head and thinking to himself:: Bloody riddlespeak's going to get me a whole lot of nowhere.
QXO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
NCO: Quite intact, sir.
LtJG_Soriq_Ahkileez says:
::crouches down and feels the grass, as if looking for something, idly watching the clump of people standing around talking::

ACTION: The ground rumbles.

CNS_Azhure says:
:: Lays a hand lightly on his arm.  A sadness she had not realized as hers eases a bit.::
Q_AFCO_Lt_A_Rochelle says:
OutLoud: I don't like this at all.
QXO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
NCO: That sounds ominous.
Host NCO_Capt_Sulek says:
::stepping back:: All: It might be wise if we move away from this spot.  One cavern is quite enough.

ACTION: It shakes harder. In the distance, the night sky erupts in fire and red as mountains abruptly jut out of the ground, blocking out starts as they reach for the heavens. Brilliant reds and oranges erupt as magma turns to lava upon reaching the surface.

QCMO_Ltjg_Jervase says:
::looks over at Powers while Azhure's occupied with assuring herself he's actually there, and gives him the universal look for "I have no idea, but we need to talk."::
LtJG_Soriq_Ahkileez says:
Self: Ooooh...
QCMO_Ltjg_Jervase says:
::then tries his darnedest not to fall flat on his rear end as the quaking and shaking starts up::
Host Skandranon says:
NCO: What is it you fear?
QXO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
Skandranon: Skandranon... we need to leave, now.
Host Skandranon says:
QXO: You will leave when the time is right. What is it you fear?
CNS_Azhure says:
:: Steps slowly away from Bill, her senses touching all over the place.::
QXO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: looks at volcano :: Skandranon: At the moment, incineration.
Host NCO_Capt_Sulek says:
::moving away:: Skandranon: I do not fear.  I have concern for the safety of my crew.
Host Skandranon says:
NCO: Everyone fears. Do not fear this place. What do you fear where you come from?
Host Skandranon says:
QXO: You are in no danger. What do you fear of where you come from?
QXO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: thinks for a moment ::  Skandranon: The death of innocents.
Host Skandranon says:
QXO: You fear failure. NXO: What is it you fear?
LtJG_Soriq_Ahkileez says:
::stares up at the towering spires of rock, so high he's almost falling over backwards looking at them::
CNS_Azhure says:
:: Steps further away, soon finding herself on the outer edges of the group, her eyes not leaving Bill's form.::
NXO_Cmdr_Powers says:
Skandranon: Who, me?  :: Thinks ::  Being useless.
QXO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: falls silent, pondering Skandranon's words ::
Host Skandranon says:
NXO: You could have saved your wife, had you been useful. Change that.
Host Skandranon says:
QCMO: What is it you fear?
QCMO_Ltjg_Jervase says:
::looks over at the creature as the questions are asked of, seemingly, everyone, then looks for a tricorder or something... if he's going to be here he may as well learn something::
NXO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Thinks he doesn't have a wife... yet... unless there's something he doesn't know ::
CNS_Azhure says:
:: Pauses next to Soriq::
LtJG_Soriq_Ahkileez says:
::feels the presence next to her and looks over:: CNS: You are the one that disappeared.
QCMO_Ltjg_Jervase says:
::blinks, looking back at Skandranon:: Skandranon: Only what I don't understand. But is that not justified?
Host Skandranon says:
QCMO: Nothing is justified. Justification is a means of making oneself feel better. It is a safety blanket.
Host Skandranon says:
AFCO: What do you fear?
CNS_Azhure says:
:: Looks at him curiously::  Ahkileez: I am here... but you... :: her vision becomes unfocused.::

ACTION: Ahkileez, in Azhure's mind, briefly transforms into something too overwhelming for her eyes ...

QCMO_Ltjg_Jervase says:
Skandranon: Aye, it is. It, and fear, make us cautious.
Host NCO_Capt_Sulek says:
Skandranon: Fear is an emotion.  It is one that I control then, if you prefer. It does not control my actions.  We all seek to do what is needed and not allow fear to dictate to us.
Host Skandranon says:
NCO: Fear dictates everything you do. Fear of failing innocents drives you to action. Fear of loneliness drives you to love.
Host Skandranon says:
NCO: You fear losing control. You fear passion as it has endangered your heart and others.
CNS_Azhure says:
:: Suddenly stumbles backwards, her eyes closing tightly as pain spears through her mind.::
Q_AFCO_Lt_A_Rochelle says:
Skandranon: What I fear?  I fear fear itself.
Host Skandranon says:
NCO: Control does not mean it does not exist.
Host NCO_Capt_Sulek says:
Skandranon: I have known all these things.  I do not fear them.
Host Skandranon says:
AFCO: As you should. Fear can sometimes be a real creature.
LtJG_Soriq_Ahkileez says:
::reaches out to catch her, perhaps squeezing a little too hard on Azhure's arm::
QCMO_Ltjg_Jervase says:
::catches movement out of the corner of his eye, and decides to forget Skandranon entirely in favor of making his way to Azhure::
CNS_Azhure says:
:: Her hand clamps tightly onto Soriq's as she takes a deep breath.::
Host Skandranon says:
::Looks into the distance as the rumbling stops:: ALL: I see great unrest for you all.
Q_AFCO_Lt_A_Rochelle says:
Skandranon: Fear is a real thing that keeps us in check.  Fear can be depicted as an animal in our imagination or it can manifest itself in other ways.
Host Skandranon says:
ALL: But your lives have always been ones of unrest.
Host Skandranon says:
::Turns back:: ALL: One turbulent event after another. A sequence of unfortunate crises and adventures.
LtJG_Soriq_Ahkileez says:
::lets her go when he's certain she isn't going to fall:: CNS/CMO: This is a dangerous place. You should be careful here.
CNS_Azhure says:
:: She looks deeply into his eyes, tears watering her own before she closes them again.  Taking a deep breath, she looks back at him.::  Ahkileez: Hold tight to those who love you unconditionally.
Host Skandranon says:
ALL: I smell sun on the air. Soon the morning light will rise and you will return to where you came from. ::Looks to Azhure:: Some will return to further back. You may remember this. You may not. It will more than likely be a passing thought. A day dream.
Host Skandranon says:
::Looks at Sulek:: NCO: What say you?
QCMO_Ltjg_Jervase says:
::gives Ahkileez a suspicious look, but Azhure gets a much more suspicious one, though for different reasons::
Host NCO_Capt_Sulek says:
Skandranon: You fear as well.  Your fear would seem to be one of having an incorrect judgment.  Your uniqueness does not mean that you understand all.  Fear is controlled or it is not.  Not even time is a constant.
CNS_Azhure says:
:: Slowly turns around, her eyes lighting on the doctor.:: QCMO:  Do not forget.
Host Skandranon says:
NCO: Perhaps.
QCMO_Ltjg_Jervase says:
::raises an eyebrow, again:: CNS: Forget... what?
Host Skandranon says:
NCO: ... I'd like to think that my fears faded when I left the mortal coil.
CNS_Azhure says:
:: Turns again to look towards Bill, her eyes telling him more then words can.::

ACTION: Azhure begins to fade away.

ACTION: As does the QCMO, then the AFCO, and so on ...

ACTION: ... one by one, they begin to leave this soft spot.

LtJG_Soriq_Ahkileez says:
::marches back happily:: Self: We can go home now. ::fades::
Host NCO_Capt_Sulek says:
Skandranon: Perhaps or perhaps you too have learned to live with your fears.  Since time can be shifted, we too can control...live with our fear....::fades::
CNS_Azhure says:
:: Steps backwards.::
Host Skandranon says:
::As they fade away, he speaks aloud:: ALL: Once I feared much. Subspace eddies and EPS breaches. Once I glided amongst the stars and worlds. Once I was home to many souls and saw many exciting things.
Host Skandranon says:
::Looks at Sulek solemnly as he fades away:: ALL: ... but my time came and went. And I broke apart with my great blue heart. And I found myself here.
Host Skandranon says:
::All alone again:: ALL: A lone Griffon traveling the soft spots.
Host Skandranon says:
Self: No moment of rest for me.

=/\==/\==/\==/\==/\= END MISSION =/\==/\==/\==/\==/\=