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current_story:the_most_of_freedom_and_of_pleasure [2023/02/25 06:09] cromwellcurrent_story:the_most_of_freedom_and_of_pleasure [2023/03/17 03:16] (current) cromwell
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 **//BREAKING NEWS -- Interstellar News Service// **//BREAKING NEWS -- Interstellar News Service//
 \\ \\  \\ \\ 
-<fs large>GORNS SURRENDER</fs>\\ Totalitarian Hegemony Toppled; Starfleet Assumes Emergency Police Powers as Kostya Declares Victory; "First of Many" President Promises+<fs x-large>GORNS SURRENDER</fs>\\ Totalitarian Hegemony Toppled; Starfleet Assumes Emergency Police Powers as Kostya Declares Victory; "First of Many" President Promises
 \\ \\  \\ \\ 
 By LEAH WARNER, war correspondent By LEAH WARNER, war correspondent
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 Sunday, January 13, 2385 Sunday, January 13, 2385
 \\ \\  \\ \\ 
-GORNAR, Tau Lacertae Nine (INS) — Vladamir Kostya's unswerving battle march has reached its inevitable destination, and the might of the United Federation of Planet's war machine has completed its objectives on Gornar, the homeworld of the Gorn Hegemony. The galaxy watched Wednesday night as the first attack fleets and ground forces descended upon Cestus Three. Even while images of starship combat over the alien planet flashed across vidscreens — reminiscent of the Four Years War with the Klingons over a century ago — it was clear how much the Federation's place in the galaxy has changed since that time. There are moments when the universe pivots, when it's clear that we can never go back. This is one of those moments. Starfleet has gone bravely into battle before, but never under the banner of pre-emptive defense. In the last century, we overcame our natural isolationism to join coalitions of planets in faraway battles against totalitarianism. We saw ourselves as the galaxy's enforcer of peace, avenger of wrongs, defender of democracy. Though President Kostya says he is fighting this war in the name of those lofty goals, it is clear that we are on Gornar for one purpose: to depose a hostile government we consider a potential threat to us. ((<wrap lo>Apologies to The San-Jose Mercury News; 2003 editorial modified without permission</wrap>))+GORNAR, Tau Lacertae Nine (INS) — Vladamir Kostya's unswerving battle march has reached its inevitable destination, and the might of the United Federation of Planet's war machine has completed its objectives on Gornar, the homeworld of the Gorn Hegemony. The galaxy watched Wednesday night as the first attack fleets and ground forces descended upon Cestus Three. Even while images of starship combat over the alien planet flashed across vidscreens — reminiscent of the Four Years War with the Klingons two centuries ago — it was clear how much the Federation's place in the galaxy has changed since that time. There are moments when the universe pivots, when it's clear that we can never go back. This is one of those moments. Starfleet has gone bravely into battle before, but never under the banner of pre-emptive defense. In the last century, we overcame our natural isolationism to join coalitions of planets in faraway battles against totalitarianism. We saw ourselves as the galaxy's enforcer of peace, avenger of wrongs, defender of democracy. Though President Kostya says he is fighting this war in the name of those lofty goals, it is clear that we are on Gornar for one purpose: to depose a hostile government we consider a potential threat to us.((<wrap lo>Apologies to The San-Jose Mercury News; 2003 editorial modified without permission</wrap>))
 \\ \\  \\ \\ 
 At 0500 hours local time, Starfleet forces accepted the surrender of the commander of the armed forces of the Gorn Hegemony in orbit of Tau Lacertae Nine.  Supreme Commander Sslumayla surrendered himself and more than 160,000 Gorn troopers under his command to Commander George McBrown of the Starfleet Marine Corps.  "This is the only official surrender of Gorn armed forces to the Federation," McBrown said. "I presented our conditions and accepted the surrender from him.  I told him I appreciated what he was doing for his species and for the people of the former Gorn Hegemony.  This will limit any future bloodshed."  McBrown asked Sslumayla to stay in uniform for thirty days, take control of his troops and starships, and restore order in the Gorn capital city, Tau Lacertae star system, and other surrounding star systems.  "At the end, I saluted him," he said. "I gave him that respect because he is a fellow combat officer."  McBrown said he was "honored" to represent Federation forces in accepting the surrender.  "The best is yet to come," he remarked at the end of the surrender ceremony.** At 0500 hours local time, Starfleet forces accepted the surrender of the commander of the armed forces of the Gorn Hegemony in orbit of Tau Lacertae Nine.  Supreme Commander Sslumayla surrendered himself and more than 160,000 Gorn troopers under his command to Commander George McBrown of the Starfleet Marine Corps.  "This is the only official surrender of Gorn armed forces to the Federation," McBrown said. "I presented our conditions and accepted the surrender from him.  I told him I appreciated what he was doing for his species and for the people of the former Gorn Hegemony.  This will limit any future bloodshed."  McBrown asked Sslumayla to stay in uniform for thirty days, take control of his troops and starships, and restore order in the Gorn capital city, Tau Lacertae star system, and other surrounding star systems.  "At the end, I saluted him," he said. "I gave him that respect because he is a fellow combat officer."  McBrown said he was "honored" to represent Federation forces in accepting the surrender.  "The best is yet to come," he remarked at the end of the surrender ceremony.**
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 Timeframe:  Present day, stardate 62033.6, 0700 hours shiptime (gamma shift)** Timeframe:  Present day, stardate 62033.6, 0700 hours shiptime (gamma shift)**
  
-It was early in the morning, yet Sickbay was packed with Republic personnel.  Not patients, but several dozen officers and enlisted crew from various departments:  Ops, sciences, engineering, and of course, medical.  Absent was anyone from the command staff, with the exception of Counselor Tolkath, who had called the meeting at the behest of Assistant Chief Engineer Maria Pakita.  Cromwell's incarceration sent a shockwave through the crew, and the stated charges brought ripples of disbelief and outrage.  There were already rumors of a number of humanitarian violations by the onboard Marine detachment, and it was inconceivable that the doctor himself could have been the perpetrator of a war crime.  Regardless, he was under heavy guard, and Roth was adamant about handing him over to the Marines for full interrogation and prosecution, spurring the gathered crew into action.  Along with Tolkath and Pakita, the intense discussion passed between a number of others, with the most vocal being the Klingon/Vulcan science officer, Lieutenant Graq, as well as the sickbay's medical hologram and Lieutenant Depach Narundi from the security department.+It was early in the morning, yet Sickbay was packed with Republic personnel.  Not patients, but several dozen officers and enlisted crew from various departments:  Ops, sciences, engineering, and of course, medical.  Absent was anyone from the command staff, with the exception of Counselor Tolkath, who had called the meeting at the behest of Assistant Chief Engineer Maria Pakita.  Cromwell's incarceration sent a shockwave through the crew, and the stated charges brought ripples of disbelief and outrage.  There were already rumors of a number of humanitarian violations against the Gorns by the onboard Marine detachment, and it was inconceivable that the doctor himself could have been the perpetrator of a war crime.  Regardless, he was under heavy guard, and Roth was adamant about handing him over to the Marines for full interrogation and prosecution, spurring the gathered crew into action.  Along with Tolkath and Pakita, the intense discussion passed between a number of others, with the most vocal being the Klingon/Vulcan science officer, Lieutenant Graq, as well as the sickbay's medical hologram and Lieutenant Depach Narundi from the security department.
  
 "The Marines won't let anyone get near him," Narundi remarked.  "They completely locked down deck eight after transferring that human prisoner they arrested on Cestus Three.  She's being interrogated by Starfleet Intelligence on the Lexington now." "The Marines won't let anyone get near him," Narundi remarked.  "They completely locked down deck eight after transferring that human prisoner they arrested on Cestus Three.  She's being interrogated by Starfleet Intelligence on the Lexington now."
  
-"That was a family friend of Cromwell," Maria explained.  "Our transporter chief overhead Cromwell and Hendrix talking about it between their first and second mission to the planet."+"That was a family friend of Cromwell," Maria explained.  "Our transporter chief overheard Cromwell and Hendrix talking about it between their first and second mission to the planet."
  
-"Even MORE reason for Cromwell to have revenge!" Graq said gruffly, his Klingon blood boiling at the inequity of the doctor's predicament.  "First Hendrix dishonors him on the battlefield, then dishonors his friend.  Any Klingon would claim Rite of Vengeance and kill Hendrix."+"Even MORE reason for Cromwell to have revenge!" Graq said gruffly, his Klingon blood boiling at the inequity of the doctor's predicament.  "First Hendrix dishonors him on the battlefield, then they dishonor a sister.  Any Klingon would have claimed Rite of Vengeance and killed Hendrix."
  
 "Cromwell didn't kill him," Reittan declared flatly.  "I've had enough counseling sessions with him that I can feel his emotional state without being in the same room.  There's no fear, guilt, or psychosis in him.  Just anger spurred by a sense of injustice, and suppressed grief over his father.  He's innocent.  There's absolutely no question of that." "Cromwell didn't kill him," Reittan declared flatly.  "I've had enough counseling sessions with him that I can feel his emotional state without being in the same room.  There's no fear, guilt, or psychosis in him.  Just anger spurred by a sense of injustice, and suppressed grief over his father.  He's innocent.  There's absolutely no question of that."
  
-"I don't think anyone here believes that Doctor Cromwell is a war criminal," the Pulaski-styled medical hologram commented.  "In fact, most of the crew feel that the Marines are lying and covering up what went on down there.  They're very angry at the captain for hosting them aboard the ship in the first place."+"I don't think anyone here believes that Doctor Cromwell is a war criminal," the Pulaski-styled medical hologram commented.  "In fact, most of the crew feel that the Marines are lying to cover up what went on down there.  They're very angry at the captain for hosting them aboard the ship in the first place."
  
 A whale-like groaning and series of clicks came from the scintillating water tunnel above their heads where the Xindi-aquatic junior counselor, Drengal, was listening.  After quietly observing the conversation, he decided to speak up, and the Universal Translator kicked in a moment later. A whale-like groaning and series of clicks came from the scintillating water tunnel above their heads where the Xindi-aquatic junior counselor, Drengal, was listening.  After quietly observing the conversation, he decided to speak up, and the Universal Translator kicked in a moment later.
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 "We can't wait for them to transfer Cromwell off the ship," Narundi added.  "Once they do, he's out of our hands, and the truth will never come out.  They might very well execute him." "We can't wait for them to transfer Cromwell off the ship," Narundi added.  "Once they do, he's out of our hands, and the truth will never come out.  They might very well execute him."
  
-"Oh come on!" Vehns, the Tellarite technician from engineering exclaimed.  "Starfleet doesn't EXECUTE people anymore!  That's ridiculous!"+"Oh come on!" Vehns, the Tellarite technician from engineering exclaimed.  "Starfleet doesn't EXECUTE people!  That's ridiculous!"
  
-"No, it's not," Reittan said soberly to the gathered crew.  "I've been watching this Gorn war play out, and feeling the hostilities in the Marines on this ship; even from the bridge.  They are prejudicial, prideful, unscrupulous, and arrogant.  Worst of all, their personalities are toxic with strong narcissistic streaks.  That's a dangerous mix, because they believe that they are above the law.  If they wanted to change the rules and kill Leon, they would do it in an instant.  If fact, I get a strong sense that one of them might do just that, though I haven't been able to figure out exactly who..."+"No, it's not," Reittan said soberly to the gathered crew.  "I've been watching this Gorn war play out, and feeling the hostilities in the Marines on this ship; even from the bridge.  They are prejudicial, prideful, unscrupulous, and arrogant.  Worst of all, their personalities are toxic with strong narcissistic streaks.  That's a dangerous mix, because they believe that they are above the law.  If they wanted to change the rules and kill Leon, they would do it in an instant.  In fact, I get a strong sense that one of them might do just that, though I haven't been able to figure out exactly who..."
  
 "It's settled then," Narundi responded.  "We have to act." "It's settled then," Narundi responded.  "We have to act."
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 =/\= //"Could you please join Lieutenant Devloch and I for some breakfast in the Officer's Mess?  We have a few items we'd like to discuss with you."// =/\= =/\= //"Could you please join Lieutenant Devloch and I for some breakfast in the Officer's Mess?  We have a few items we'd like to discuss with you."// =/\=
  
-"On my way," she tapped her combadge again to close the channel.  She stared silently at everyone in the room before departing without another word spoken.+"On my way," she tapped her combadge again to close the channel.  She stared silently at everyone in the room before departing.  She did not speak another word.
  
 As soon as the door slid shut, the gathered crowd burst into a chorus of consternation and argument.  However, it was Lieutenant Graq who spoke the loudest, and everyone eventually acquiesced to let him speak. As soon as the door slid shut, the gathered crowd burst into a chorus of consternation and argument.  However, it was Lieutenant Graq who spoke the loudest, and everyone eventually acquiesced to let him speak.
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 Timeframe:  0730 hours shiptime (end of gamma shift)** Timeframe:  0730 hours shiptime (end of gamma shift)**
  
-This wasn't the first time Leon had been in the brig, but this particular stint certainly felt the longest.  He had roused from his stunned state after being beamed back to Republic following Hendrix's death, and after being unceremoniously shackled, was paraded in front of the rest of the Marines on the deck before he was quite literally tossed into his cell and locked away.  He wasn't even permitted a medical scan for his concussion, though he knew it was light and would likely subside given time.  As if to drive home the point of how objectionable the Marines found him to be, Leon's meals for the past two days were the most spartan imaginable: Actual bread and water -- a naval tradition not practiced since twenty-first century Earth to punish only the most reprehensible prisoners.  Although he asked multiple times, the laconic Marines refused to remove his shackles, making personal hygiene and eating most uncomfortable.+This wasn't the first time Leon had been in the brig, but this particular stint certainly felt the longest.  He had roused from his stunned state after beaming back to Republic following Hendrix's death, and after being unceremoniously shackled, he was paraded in front of the rest of the Marines on deck before quite literally tossed into cell and locked away.  He wasn't even permitted a medical scan for his concussion, though he knew it was light and would likely subside given time.  As if to drive home the point of how objectionable the Marines found him to be, Leon's meals for the past two days were the most spartan imaginable: Actual bread and water -- a naval tradition not practiced since twenty-first century Earth to punish only the most reprehensible prisoners.  Although he asked multiple times, the laconic Marines refused to remove his shackles, making personal hygiene and eating most uncomfortable.
  
-And so, for the past two days, Leon spent most of his time laying on the bunk staring at the ceiling.  No visitors, no declaration of charges, just the silent daily changing of the Marine guard watching over him.  Early on, his questions of where he was going and why were ignored, and he hadn't seen a single one of his shipmates since returning from Cestus Three.  He could only surmise that he was being framed for the deaths in the Gorn cavern, and judging by the feel of the deckplates, the ship had already entered warp and departed the Cestus system days ago, leaving the crime scene and evidence without a fair and unbiased investigation.  The Marines were in charge of everything related to ship security, and his fate was in their hands.  +And so, for the past two days, Leon spent most of his time laying on the bunk staring at the ceiling.  No visitors, no declaration of charges, just the silent daily changing of the Marine guard watching over him.  Early on, his questions of where he was going and why were ignored, and he hadn't seen a single one of his shipmates since returning from Cestus Three.  He could only surmise that he was being framed for the deaths in the Gorn cavern, and judging by the feel of the deckplates, the ship had already entered warp and departed the Cestus system days ago, leaving the crime scene and evidence without a fair and unbiased investigation.  Due to Code Green, the Marines were in charge of everything related to ship security, and his fate was in their hands.  
  
-Like clockwork, the transition of the Marine guarding the watch desk took place as planned every eight hours.  Silent and without ceremony, Leon had learned the routine to a tee, and while he paid attention previously in an attempt to gain favor with the new guard, hoping they would listen to his pleas for medial assistance and legal counsel, they all fell on deaf ears.  Soon, there was no reason to even take note of each replacement guard.  It was the same thing each time every eight hours, and Leon relegated himself to simply staring at the ceiling as the sounds of the watch changeover occurred yet again:  The door slid open, a new Marine walked in, a series of computer beeps signaled the log off of the old guard, and another series of beeps signaled the logon of the new.  Then, the previous guard exited while the new one sat down, and as before, silence would return anew.+Like clockwork, the transition of the Marine guarding the brig'watch desk took place as planned every eight hours.  Silent and without ceremony, Leon had learned the routine to a tee, and while he paid attention previously in an attempt to gain favor with each new guard, hoping they would listen to his pleas for medial assistance and legal counsel, they all fell on deaf ears.  Soon, there was no reason to even take note of each replacement guard.  It was the same thing each time every eight hours, and Leon relegated himself to simply staring at the ceiling as the sounds of the watch desk changeover occurred yet again:  The door slid open, a new Marine walked in, a series of computer beeps signaled the log off of the old guard, and another series of beeps signaled the logon of the new.  Then, the previous guard exited while the new one sat down, and as before, silence would return anew.
  
 Leon's usual daily sustenance arrived via a small closed-circuit transporter beam, materializing the standard fare of a cup of clear water and a slice of nutrient-enriched bread, with just enough vitamins to keep him alive and conscious.  With a sigh of resignation, Leon sat up, pivoted to allow his legs to make contact with the floor, and got up to receive his tray.  Dejectedly, he returned to his bunk to sit down, placing the tray on his lap and began consuming his "meal". Leon's usual daily sustenance arrived via a small closed-circuit transporter beam, materializing the standard fare of a cup of clear water and a slice of nutrient-enriched bread, with just enough vitamins to keep him alive and conscious.  With a sigh of resignation, Leon sat up, pivoted to allow his legs to make contact with the floor, and got up to receive his tray.  Dejectedly, he returned to his bunk to sit down, placing the tray on his lap and began consuming his "meal".
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 The hair stood up on the back of Leon's neck. The hair stood up on the back of Leon's neck.
  
-He looked up to see Purcell strolling towards him from the watch desk.  To Leon's detriment, he hadn'noticed who the replacement guard was that came on duty, and he now realized he was facing his potential killer once more... alone and behind a locked door to the cell block.+He looked up to see Purcell strolling towards him from the watch desk.  To Leon's detriment, he hadn'bothered to take note of who the replacement guard was that came on duty, and he now realized he was facing his potential killer once more... alone and behind a locked door to the cell block.
  
-Purcell stared at Leon with the same disturbed expression he saw when looking out upon the piles of dead Gorn newborns in the berthing cave on Cestus.  The two exchanged glances for only a moment when, without warning, Purcell pulled an instrument from his belt, and jabbed it hard on the inside wall of Leon's cell, right behind the wall-mounted controls outside.  It was a laser scalpel identical to one in his own hand.+Wielding his phaser rifle once again, Purcell stared at Leon with the same disturbed expression he saw when the ensign was looking out upon the piles of dead Gorn newborns in the berthing cave on Cestus.  The two exchanged glances for only a moment when, without warning, Purcell pulled an instrument from his belt, and jabbed it hard on the inside wall of Leon's cell, right behind the wall-mounted controls outside.  It was a laser scalpel identical to one in his own hand.
  
-It now dawned upon Leon that he was being set up for a faux jail break.  He immediately dropped his own scalpel just as Purcell finished his sabotaging of the force field controls.  As the deranged Marine stuffed the deactivated scalpel back into his belt, he then turned back to Leon, leveling his phaser rifle at the doctor-turned-prisoner.+It now dawned upon Leon that he was being set up for a faux jail break.  He immediately dropped his own scalpel just as Purcell finished sabotaging the force field controls from inside the cell.  As the deranged Marine stuffed the deactivated scalpel back into his belt, he then turned back to Leon, leveling his phaser rifle at the doctor-turned-prisoner.
  
-As he sat there in shackles, a tray upon his lap, there was very little Leon could do to defend himself.  He could throw the tray at Purcell and scream at the top of his lungs for help, but the Marines on deck would probably not arrive in time to prevent his murder.  He could try talking Purcell down, but since he bore the same psychotic look in his eye as when he killed the Gorns on Cestus, there was no humanity dwelling within his soul to appeal to.  Leon was trapped, and death was literally his doorstep.+As he sat there in shackles, a tray of bread and water upon his lap, there was very little Leon could do to defend himself.  He could throw the tray at Purcell and scream at the top of his lungs for help, but the Marines on deck would probably not arrive in time to prevent his murder.  He could try bargaining with Purcell, but since he bore the same psychotic look in his eye as when he killed the Gorns on Cestus, there was no humanity dwelling within his soul to appeal to.  Leon was trapped, and death was literally his doorstep.
  
-As in the Gorn cave, Purcell resulted to a martial arts kick; this time upwards to knock the tray off Leon's lap and knock him to the floor.  The water glass shattered as it hit Leon in the face, and with water and blood flowing into his eyes thus temporarily blinding him, he scurried to the back of the cell as far back as he could.  When he felt his back up against the wall, he wiped his eyes to see the Marine looming even closer.  They locked stares once again, much as Purcell and Hendrix did on Cestus just before Purcell killed him.+As in the Gorn cave, Purcell resulted to a martial arts kick; this time upwards to knock the tray off Leon's lap and knock him to the floor.  The water glass shattered as it hit Leon in the face, and with water and blood flowing into his eyesthus temporarily blinding him, he scurried to the back of the cell as far back as he could.  When he felt his back up against the wall, he wiped his eyes to see the Marine looming even closer.  They locked stares once again, much as Purcell and Hendrix did on Cestus just before Purcell killed him.
  
 "So that's it, then?" Leon asked, sitting in the corner of his cell, nursing a bleeding forehead while putting two-and-two together.  "Killed while trying to escape?" "So that's it, then?" Leon asked, sitting in the corner of his cell, nursing a bleeding forehead while putting two-and-two together.  "Killed while trying to escape?"
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 As the psychotic trooper was about to pull the trigger, a hissing sound resonated behind him.  An acrid stench of chemically vaporized metal permeated the air while an electric sizzle preceded the lights going out in the room.   Purcell spun around as a strange scraping sound reverberated off the walls, as if a stone door had ground itself open.  He switched on his rifle's spotlight, and hurriedly scanned the room to determine the source.  As the sound fell silent, the ensign was clearly split between the odd commotion and completing his task of killing Leon.   As the psychotic trooper was about to pull the trigger, a hissing sound resonated behind him.  An acrid stench of chemically vaporized metal permeated the air while an electric sizzle preceded the lights going out in the room.   Purcell spun around as a strange scraping sound reverberated off the walls, as if a stone door had ground itself open.  He switched on his rifle's spotlight, and hurriedly scanned the room to determine the source.  As the sound fell silent, the ensign was clearly split between the odd commotion and completing his task of killing Leon.  
    
-Without warning, the grinding percussion resumed and reached a fevered pitch just as soon as Purcell trained his rifle back on Leon.  The Marine looked over his shoulder, and from out of the shadows, a large heap-shaped construct mowed towards him.  It's blistered surface pulsated with orange vesicles interlaced with veins of brown granite, and it propelled itself via thousands of string-like tentacles pushing it along the floor.  Purcell's eyes widened with horror as the otherworldly monster reared up and consumed him as he expelled a shriek of panic.  A maelstrom of searing hot gasses and stone-to-metal grating muffled the screaming gurgle of the Marine as he was chemically dissolved into vapors, leaving behind only his phaser rifle and a small pile of charred remains that vaguely outlined his prostrate form on the deckplates.  The lumbering brown and orange mass of silicon then spun a quarter-turn to look upon a shocked Leon still sitting in the corner of the cell.+Without warning, the grinding percussion resumed and reached a fevered pitch just as soon as Purcell trained his rifle back on Leon.  The Marine looked over his shoulder, and from out of the shadows, a large heap-shaped construct mowed towards him.  It's blistered surface pulsated with orange vesicles interlaced with veins of brown granite, and it propelled itself via thousands of string-like tentacles pushing it along the floor.  Purcell's eyes widened with horror as the otherworldly monster reared up and consumed him, causing him to expel a shriek of panic.  A maelstrom of searing hot gasses and stone-to-metal grating muffled the screaming gurgle of the Marine as he was chemically dissolved into vapors, leaving behind only his phaser rifle and a small pile of charred remains that vaguely outlined his prostrate form on the deckplates.  The lumbering brown and orange mass of silicon then spun a quarter-turn to look upon a shocked Leon still sitting in the corner of the cell.
  
-For his part, the doctor slowly lowered his shackled hands, which he instinctively used to  shield his eyes after flinching in anticipation of phaser fire that never came.+For his part, the doctor slowly lowered his shackled hands, which he instinctively used to shield his eyes after flinching in anticipation of phaser fire that never came.
  
 "Thaaj!" Leon exclaimed, recognizing the Horta junior science officer before dropping his hands to his lap. "Thaaj!" Leon exclaimed, recognizing the Horta junior science officer before dropping his hands to his lap.
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 Timeframe:  0735 hours shiptime** Timeframe:  0735 hours shiptime**
  
-Prior to going on day shift on the bridge, Roth-Dorian was enjoying a cup of coffee while she and her Chief Engineer, Lieutenant Vance Devloch, watched the report of the Gorn's surrender on the mess hall monitor.  A pair of enlisted mess hall stewards, a Hekaran and an Algolian, busied themselves with setting clean silverware on the dining room tables while the two senior officers watched the main viewscreen on the wall.  They both smiled with satisfaction at the replay of the surrender ceremony, listening to Leah Warner's recorded narration and editorial of the end of hostilities.+Prior to going on day shift on the bridge, Roth-Dorian was enjoying a cup of coffee while she and her Chief Engineer, Lieutenant Vance Devloch, watched the report of the Gorn's surrender on the mess hall monitor.  A pair of enlisted mess hall stewards, a Hekaran and an Algolian, both busied themselves with setting clean silverware on the dining room tables while the two senior officers watched the main viewscreen on the wall.  The officers each smiled with satisfaction at the replay of the surrender ceremony, listening to Leah Warner's recorded narration and editorial of the end of hostilities.
  
 //"And so it goes.  On Gornar, the fight has been difficult, yet daily life is expected to improve dramatically over the next several months, thanks to the courage of the Gorn people and a determined contingent of Starfleet Marines. The Federation Council has provided the mandate for a continual presence of Starfleet forces in Gorn space through the rest of the year, and are carrying out an ambitious strategy to strengthen Gorn democracy, including helping Gorn citizens prepare for their first round of free elections ever in their history.  Whatever disagreements exist regarding this action to liberate the Gorns, we should all welcome this progress towards stability and peace, and we should stand united in helping the Gorn's new democracy succeed.  Although I'll soon return to Federation space aboard the Starship Republic, you can be sure that I'll be giving you continuing coverage of this historical event from our INS headquarters.  Until then, bless our president, bless our fleet, and bless the United Federation of Planets.  This is Leah Warner, signing off."// //"And so it goes.  On Gornar, the fight has been difficult, yet daily life is expected to improve dramatically over the next several months, thanks to the courage of the Gorn people and a determined contingent of Starfleet Marines. The Federation Council has provided the mandate for a continual presence of Starfleet forces in Gorn space through the rest of the year, and are carrying out an ambitious strategy to strengthen Gorn democracy, including helping Gorn citizens prepare for their first round of free elections ever in their history.  Whatever disagreements exist regarding this action to liberate the Gorns, we should all welcome this progress towards stability and peace, and we should stand united in helping the Gorn's new democracy succeed.  Although I'll soon return to Federation space aboard the Starship Republic, you can be sure that I'll be giving you continuing coverage of this historical event from our INS headquarters.  Until then, bless our president, bless our fleet, and bless the United Federation of Planets.  This is Leah Warner, signing off."//
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 "What do you mean 'jammed open'?" Roth inquired.  "Have you tried cutting off power to the water generators?" "What do you mean 'jammed open'?" Roth inquired.  "Have you tried cutting off power to the water generators?"
  
-=/\= //"The water's too deep.  Engineering teams can't reach the Cetacean suites, and decks eight and nine are both underwater now.  We've started evacuating the affected decks, but the water is quickly moving upward, and is already starting to flood deck seven."// =/\=+=/\= //"The water's too deep down there.  Engineering teams can't reach the Cetacean suites, and decks eight and nine are both underwater now.  We've started evacuating the affected decks, but the water is quickly moving upward, and is already starting to flood deck seven."// =/\=
  
 "Ragnar, this is Devloch," the chief engineer piped in with a tap of his own combadge.  "Activate the environmental containment fields on deck six and seven.  Immediately!" "Ragnar, this is Devloch," the chief engineer piped in with a tap of his own combadge.  "Activate the environmental containment fields on deck six and seven.  Immediately!"
  
-=/\= //"Aye sir, we've tried that, but the fields didn't stop or slow the water down.  There seems to be several internal hull breaches that are bypassing the containment field generators."// =/\=+=/\= //"Aye sir, we've tried that too, but the fields didn't stop or slow the water down.  There seems to be several internal hull breaches that are bypassing the containment field generators."// =/\=
  
-"The generators are being BYPASSED?" she exclaimed, looking to Devloch with disbelief.  "How is that possible?  There would have to be some huge holes cut through the main support longerons!  Those are made of half-meter thick pure duranium!"+"The generators are being BYPASSED?" Roth exclaimed, looking to Devloch with disbelief.  "How is that possible?  There would have to be some huge holes cut through the main support longerons!  Those are made of half-meter thick pure duranium!"
  
 =/\= //"It doesn't make any sense to me either, sir.  I've reconfigured the security containment fields on deck six around the longerons to stop the flood from rising above that deck, but I don't know how long they'll last."// =/\= =/\= //"It doesn't make any sense to me either, sir.  I've reconfigured the security containment fields on deck six around the longerons to stop the flood from rising above that deck, but I don't know how long they'll last."// =/\=
Line 208: Line 208:
 **OFF** **OFF**
  
-**LTCR Leon Cromwell, MD, PhD\\ Commanding Officer\\ USS Republic, NCC-81371**+**LTCR Leon Cromwell, MD, PhD\\ Chief Medical Officer //non grata//\\ USS Republic, NCC-81371**
  
current_story/the_most_of_freedom_and_of_pleasure.1677305347.txt.gz · Last modified: 2023/02/25 06:09 by cromwell