CAST OF CHARACTERS
(IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE)

XO Garta-Nmbarri: Rob Harold
CO AQilla Horn: Sandy Prestidge
FCO Heath: Susan Brinkman
CIV Serok: Julie Lucas 
Waiter - Susan Brinkman

Hosted by: SM Gerry Brinkman

USS Scorpius -- NCC 50666 -- 10505.21

"Rock and a Hard Place"

Episode 12: "After Hours"

The crew of the USS Scorpius have put in another long, hard day. 
 
Counsel for the accused is still en route from Earth, and the crew has a little leisure time they can use to unwind and cope with the unfortunate events of earlier in the day...

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XO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
::In his quarters, checking on his wife and family.  Gets a large prune juice, and sits for a moment::

CO_AQilla_Horn says:
::in her RR going over the events of the last few days::

FCO_Heath says:
::finishes going over the flight reports, and plots a course to sector 727::

CO_AQilla_Horn says:
::puts the PADD down and heads out to the bridge::

CO_AQilla_Horn says:
FCO:  Report, Lt.

FCO_Heath says:
CO: Course set for Sector 727, flight is ready and waiting for further orders.

XO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
::Sees that his wife and children are sleeping, so he decides to head to the bridge::

CIV_Serok says:
:: meditating in her room ::

CO_AQilla_Horn says:
FCO:  Well it seems we have a bit of time before our prisoners advocate gets here.  Take some time off, Lt.

XO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
::Arrives on the bridge and finds the CO and FCO both there::

FCO_Heath says:
CO: I don't mind remaining here, Captain.  ::smiles::  

XO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
CO: Ma'am, I wasn’t expecting you on the bridge.

CO_AQilla_Horn says:
FCO:  It's up to you, Lt, but you can take some time to relax if you wish.

CO_AQilla_Horn says:
XO:  Nor was I expect you, Commander.  I'd have thought you'd be with your family.

XO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
CO: Well, they have all fallen asleep.  Nulahr is there in case they need anything, and Jeni's family hasn't arrived yet.

CO_AQilla_Horn says:
XO:  Anyhow, we have a few hours until Admiral Thompson's advocate arrives ... so let's let the crew relax for a while.

FCO_Heath says:
::nods:: CO: Yes, ma'am.

ACTION:  Alpha shift ends.

XO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
::Goes to a COM panel, and addresses the crew:: *All Crew*: This is Commander Garta-Nmbarri.  All non-essential personnel are hereby given time off to relax.  Brig security guards, Engineers and medical staff are to run on skeleton crews.  

FCO_Heath says:
::sees Beta shift arriving and relays the information from her shift before standing and heading for the lift::

CO_AQilla_Horn says:
XO:  After today I need a drink.

XO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
CO: I could use a drink myself.  It's been a rough couple of days.  Would you like to join me in the Oasis lounge?

CO_AQilla_Horn says:
XO:  I would indeed.  ::gets up and turns the bridge over to beta shift::

FCO_Heath says:
::steps onto the lift and requests the lounge::

FCO_Heath says:
::walks off the lift, then continues the short distance to the lounge::

XO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
::Stands aside for the CO, allowing her to lead the way::

XO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
CO: After you, Ma'am.

FCO_Heath says:
::enters the lounge and finds an empty table, using the small data port to look up the day's menu::

CO_AQilla_Horn says:
::enters the TL:: XO:  Thank you.  ::waits for him to enter before ordering the lift to the lounge::

XO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
::Enters the lift with the CO::

CO_AQilla_Horn says:
XO:  So, what do you make of all this?

XO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
CO: I would proceed with extreme caution.  This Admiral Thompson is sneaky.

CO_AQilla_Horn says:
XO:  He is a cunning adversary.  Question is, how do we defeat a man who has the resources he has?

XO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
CO: we do so by pulling in all the resources we have.

XO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
CO: At least we have Admiral Taylor on our side

CO_AQilla_Horn says:
XO:  Yes, but the last time we tried that we had a Starship thrown against us.  I, for one, do not want to destroy another Federation vessel.

XO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
CO: I Agree.

CO_AQilla_Horn says:
XO:  So, it comes back to Admiral Taylor.  I just don't like having to go back to him again and again when we get in trouble ...

XO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
::Feels the lift stop, and when the doors open, he motions for the CO to proceed first::

CO_AQilla_Horn says:
::steps into the corridor::

FCO_Heath says:
::orders a Tarkalian tea and a grilled chicken and spinach salad from one of the waiters, then leans back in her chair to relax::

XO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
::Follows the CO::

FCO_Heath says:
::Looks up surprised when the waiter returns with her food:: Waiter: That was fast.

CO_AQilla_Horn says:
::enters the lounge and looks around::

Waiter says:
FCO: We try, ma'am.  ::walks over to deliver food to another table::

FCO_Heath says:
::nods as she picks up her fork to eat::

CO_AQilla_Horn says:
XO:  I also like to know what my crew is thinking about all this.

XO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
::Sees a table by one of the front windows, asks the CO if she would like to sit there::

XO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
CO: So far, I haven't heard anyone grumbling about you, if that’s what you mean.

FCO_Heath says:
::slowly eats her salad, watching the activity around the lounge::

CO_AQilla_Horn says:
::nods and sits at the indicated table:: XO:  That's not exactly what I meant, but I'm grateful to hear that.

XO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
::Takes a seat opposite the CO::

XO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
CO: Well, the crew trusts you, and respects you  If it has become common knowledge that Section 31 is out to discredit you, they will rally to your support.

CO_AQilla_Horn says:
XO:  That's good to hear.  Ok, so we question Admiral Thompson and get nothing out of him.  How do we draw out the others?

XO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
CO: "Accidentally" send out a message that Thompson is talking.

CO_AQilla_Horn says:
::raises an eyebrow:: XO:  Nice idea ..

XO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
CO: Send it over an open subspace frequency.  That way, anyone can pick up on it.

CO_AQilla_Horn says:
XO:  That would make them make a move ... we could be ready to move on them if it has the desired effect.  Admiral Taylor can have people at his end ready to move against the conspirators ... ::has a plan coming together in her mind::

CIV_Serok says:
:: finishes meditating and goes to the replicator :: Computer:  Tea, hot.

XO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
CO: One word of caution.  We could end up facing down against another Federation ship again.

CO_AQilla_Horn says:
XO:  That is a possibility .... But we could have insurance ...

CIV_Serok says:
:: picks up the beverage and goes to her terminal ::

ACTION:  The Romulans break orbit and depart for Romulan space...

XO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
CO: What sort of insurance were you thinking of?

CIV_Serok says:
:: Checks to see if Admiral Taylor has replied to her message ::

CO_AQilla_Horn says:
XO:  Oh I don't know ... maybe a fleet of cloaked Klingon warships?

XO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
::Grins:: CO: Ok, I see where you are going with this.

CO_AQilla_Horn says:
::grins back:: XO:  So, how long do you think it would take to get them here?

XO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
::Grins a bit broader:: CO: Assuming they aren’t nearby already, about two days.

CO_AQilla_Horn says:
XO:  Ok ... I'll contact Admiral Taylor and let him in on the plan ... you contact the Klingons ...

XO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
CO: Will do.

CO_AQilla_Horn says:
*CIV*:  Horn to Captain Serok.

CIV_Serok says:
*CO*  Serok here.

CO_AQilla_Horn says:
*CIV*:  The XO and I have come up with an idea.  I'd like to go over it with you and contact Admiral Taylor.  I assume you know where to contact him?

XO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
::Motions to the CO that he is going to go contact his Klingon ships, then heads for the exit of the lounge::

CO_AQilla_Horn says:
::nods to the XO as he leaves::

CIV_Serok says:
*CO*  I know where to send messages to him, yes.  Would you like me to come to your ready room?

CO_AQilla_Horn says:
*CIV*:  No, I'll come to you.  What's your current location.

CIV_Serok says:
*CO*  I am in my quarters.

CO_AQilla_Horn says:
*CIV*:  I'm on my way  ::gets up and leaves the lounge headed for the CIV's quarters::

XO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
::Goes to his quarters, and prepares a message::

CIV_Serok says:
*CO* Acknowledged.

CO_AQilla_Horn says:
::arrives at the CIV's quarters and rings the chime::

CIV_Serok says:
CO:  Come.  ::stands ::

CO_AQilla_Horn says:
::enters::

XO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
::Opens a secure subspace link to the captains of the DaHjaj SoH Hegh, Kah`Vobar and the J`Nai be'joy', and gives them orders to rendezvous with the Scorpius, maintain subspace quiet, and remain cloaked until he hears specifically from him::

CO_AQilla_Horn says:
CIV: Captain.

XO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
::Receives a reply from all three, acknowledging the orders, and informing T`Lok that they will signal in the usual way::

FCO_Heath says:
::hangs out in the lounge enjoying the laid back atmosphere::

CIV_Serok says:
CO:  Captain.  Would you care to have a seat or refreshment?

CO_AQilla_Horn says:
CIV:  No, Captain, thank you.  I'll be brief.  ::begins outlining the plan she and T'Lok came up with::

CIV_Serok says:
:: nods and listens ::

XO_Garta-Nmbarri says:
:: Sends the CO a cryptic message:: *CO* Ma'am, there will be 3 birds served at the dinner.

CO_AQilla_Horn says:
CIV:  The only thing is, if this is to work we will need Admiral Taylor's assistance.

CO_AQilla_Horn says:
*XO*:  Acknowledged.  I thank you commander.

CIV_Serok says:
:: Nods :: CO:  I will contact him immediately.

CO_AQilla_Horn says:
::gets up:: CIV:  Thank you.  Good night, Captain.  ::turns to leave::

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