The Federation Tribune - November 2003

[Clare Bradley]

                     ==== The Federation Tribune ====
                        ==== November 2003 ====

Got a question? Visit the Newspaper FAQ!

=====================================================================
 USS CALHOUN / DELTA ONE STATUS REPORT – OCTOBER by Adrian Rodd
=====================================================================

Having accepted an invitation to the colony Gul Tovan and his crew
have established, the Calhoun officers are shown round, and the two
crews struggle to trust one another, all the more so as those from
the Calhoun try to work out whether the Cardassians are enslaving
Darennia’s indigenous inhabitants. Tension rises when Commander
Summers, MIA, is found on the planet, crazed by the nanoprobes 
infecting her body, and kills a Cardassian. Tovan, however, accepts
for the  Calhoun crew to try and heal her, mentally and physically.

=====================================================================
          STATUS REPORT: USS Odyssey by Dennis Church
=====================================================================

Stardate 2391.03.02

After being crippled powerless by an alien probe, this probe has also
caused erratic behavior from Captain Bennek, Lieutenant Vrass, and
Ensign Plox. As if that weren't enough, a Klingon ship also under the
influence of this probe has taken over the Odyssey, and imprisoned
the crew. The bridge personnel being kept in the brig (Commanders
Denebris, Commander Hart, Lieutenant Travian, Ensign Rybek, and Head
Nurse Alvas) have managed to escape, but they face long odds to
retake the ship, with some personnel still in custody elsewhere
(Lieutenant Velden, and Lieutenant Andrusia) and some that are being
held on the Klingon ship (Lieutenant Helfrump, and Ensigns Elan and
Nerell).
=====================================================================
        PANDORA STATION MISSION SUMMARY, by Rob Versteegt
=====================================================================

The crew of Pandora station is still on the USS Solstice, in orbit
around planet Tollaxana. After the away teams beamed back, they were
all examining the data, brought back from the surface. The captain,
commander Essar and Ensign Jalando stayed in sickbay, for the time
being. Dr. Vok examined captain Janssens and Ensign Jalando. He
concluded the visions both officers have had, don't have anything to
do with each other. After that, ACOUNS Arta, a new addition to the
crew, held a counseling session with Mr. Jalando.

Meanwhile, with power to deck 3 restored, Ensign Ja'al was busy
deciphering the Tollaxanans language. He made some progress with it,
but he still wasn't there. Then, when Jalando, after he was declared
'fit to work', came in, and recreated the Tollaxanan landscape in the
holodeck, Mr. Ja'al figured out a way to translate the images on the
map. He used the holodeck to recreate the Tollaxanan landscape as it
would have been about 6000 years ago. The two officers now used the
map on this landscape, and thereby, found the capital city!

Captain Janssens and commander Essar both paid a visit to the
holodeck, after spending some time on the bridge with CEO Holmes,
listening to status reports. When the 2 command officers walked into
the holodeck, they found Ja'al and Jalando already had found the
capital city. Now, the CO and FO planned the next away mission...
They would both come along, as would ensigns Ja'al, Jalando, and Dr.
Vok. They would go via shuttlecraft, so that the power drain from the
planet wouldn't interfere with the transporters.

As for the escaped prisoner / madman... he's still on the loose.
Ensign Worrell was send to retrieve him, but so far, he didn't have
any success. He searched every room on the deck, including sickbay,
where he smashed up the place. Dr. Vok gave him a tricorder that
could pick up the materials the straightjacket the prisoner was
wearing. With any luck, the security officer will find this guy in
no-time.

Another addition to the crew just arrived. Ensign Ryhlix will be the
new AOPS officer for the Pandora crew. Now, with all officers on
standby, the next away mission is about to begin...

(See also: http://www.frontierfleet.net/vessels/other.php?page=184)

=====================================================================
               Academy Status Report by Rob Verlinden
=====================================================================

Current Stardate 2386.9.14 and 2388.9.13

==================

Lost Cadets (1):
Cadet Todd Marshall, played by John Rodriguez

Standby (1):
Cadet Lily Barns, played by Garrett M. (Sci/Med/Ship)

==================

New Signups (11):
8 useless, leaves 3

Individual Cadets (1):
Cadet Bryan Lewis, played by Paul Clark (Mike)

Soon in List Training (5):
Cadet Jhellisa, played by Colleen Desilu (Sec/Ops/Ship)
Cadet Kicent K'meric Quisar, played by Eric Hess (Sec/Eng/Ship)
Cadet Giskard Reventlov, played by Giskard Reventlov (Sec/Eng/Dont)
Cadet Astri, played by Darla Shaw (Ops/Med/Dont)
Cadet John Stalker, played by Mike Sheinin (Sec/Helm/Ship)

Graduations (3):
Cadet Ian Connor, played by Mark Cornelissen => AOPS Valkyrie
Cadet John James Carter, played by John McGinty => ASTC Valkyrie
Cadet Ryhlix, played by David Wilson => AOPS Pandora

==================
End of Status Report
==================

=====================================================================
                Status Report by Mark van der Laan
=====================================================================

USS VALKYRIE STATUS REPORT - 2391.01.25:

The Valkyrie is still in orbit around Betazed with repairs in
progress and a new mission looming at the horizon. Rylie Tir has
returned on board to reassume command of her ship, while the bulk of
its crew is still on shoreleave.
Meanwhile, on the planet surface, Martin Miller's condition has
stabilized, but his brother Paul sees little future in remaining
arrested, turning the medical facility into a hostage situation.

In the middle of this quiet period -at least aboard the Valk- some
new crew members arrive, having been assigned to a ship that they
will remember for the rest of their lives...

=====================================================================
            Fleetwide Status Report by Guido Dorssers
=====================================================================

-------------------
    USS Calhoun
-------------------
 Stardate: UNKNOWN
-------------------

Having accepted an invitation to the colony Gul Tovan and his crew
have established, the Calhoun officers are shown round, and the two
crews struggle to trust one another, all the more so as those from
the Calhoun try to work out whether the Cardassians are enslaving
Darennia's indigenous inhabitants. Tension rises when Commander
Summers, MIA, is found on the planet, crazed by the nanoprobes
infecting her body, and kills a Cardassian. Tovan, however, accepts
for the Calhoun crew to try and heal her, mentally and physically.

-----------
 Vacancies
-----------
CONN
OPS
STC
CMO
CSO

ACEO
ACOUNS
ACSO


----------------------
      USS Odyssey
----------------------
 Stardate: 2391.03.02
----------------------

After being crippled powerless by an alien probe, it also caused
erratic behavior from Captain Bennek, Lieutenant Vrass, and Ensign
Plox. As if that weren't enough, a Klingon ship also under the
influence of this probe has taken over the Odyssey, and imprisoned
the crew. The bridge personnel being kept in the brig (Commanders
Denebris, Commander Hart, Lieutenant Travian, Ensign Rybek, and Head
Nurse Alvas) have managed to escape, but they face long odds to
retake the ship, with some personnel still in custody elsewhere
(Lieutenant Velden, and Lieutenant Andrusia) and some that are being
held on the Klingon ship (Lieutenant Helfrump, and Ensigns Elan and
Nerell).

-----------
 Vacancies
-----------
CMO
CSO


----------------------
      USS Valkyrie
----------------------
 Stardate: 2391.01.25
----------------------

The Valkyrie is still in orbit around Betazed with repairs in
progress and a new mission looming at the horizon. Rylie Tir has
returned on board to reassume command of her ship, while the bulk of
its crew is still on shoreleave.
Meanwhile, on the planet surface, Martin Miller's condition has
stabilized, but his brother Paul sees little future in remaining
arrested, turning the medical facility into a hostage situation.

In the middle of this quiet period -at least aboard the Valk- some
new crew members arrive, having been assigned to a ship that they
will remember for the rest of their lives...

-----------
 Vacancies
-----------
AOPS
ACEO
ACSO


--------------------
  Pandora Station
-------------------
 Stardate: UNKNOWN
-------------------

The crew of Pandora station is still on the USS Solstice, in orbit
around planet Tollaxana, examining the data brought back from the
surface by the away teams. The Tollaxanan landscape was recreated in
the holodeck, where Mr. Ja'al figured out a way to translate the
images on the map. Using it, they found the capital city.

Captain Janssens and Commander Essar both paid a visit to the
holodeck and based on the finding there they planned the next away
mission. They would go by shuttlecraft, so that the power drain from
the planet wouldn't interfere with the transporters.

As for the escaped prisoner / madman... he's still on the loose.
Ensign Worrell was send to retrieve him, but so far, he didn't have
any success.

-----------
 Vacancies
-----------
AOPS
ACMO
ACMO
ACSO
ACOUNS

=========================
 
=====================================================================
         The History of the Tribble by Rob Versteegt
=====================================================================

Hello. My name is... Well, I don't have a name. But it seems my owner
has called me Tribby. I'm a Tribble. And I would like to let you know
what I do all day long. Well, for the most part, I'm just being cute.
I make a lot of nice noises. This is not because I like doing that.
On the contrary. I hate my noise. I also hate the cuddling, the
petting and the kissing, those annoying humans do all the time. Ow...
How I hate that! 

For me, making this noise is no more then a technique for survival.
Let me explain. 

A long time ago, Tribbles were a warrior's race. We fought each
other. How, you say? Simple. We decided to have a "Who makes the
loudest noise" contest. All the biggest (and usually loudest)
tribbles from all over the planet, came to our capital, and there the
contest began. For days, tribbles would make that purring sound, as
loud as they could. The winner would receive the most food, thereby
reproducing, and letting his offspring live on the continent he lived
on. Through this evolution, Tribbles were purring even louder and
louder. There was much hate among Tribbles. We even had a few civil
wars. (Well, actually it was just a heap of Tribbles, trying to annoy
each other.) 

After a few centuries, we had evolved to the point where war was no
longer necessary. All the planet was ruled by a single tribe of
tribbles. All was peaceful, and by dividing our food supplies, we
could feed the whole planet. But soon, we found another problem:
Overpopulation. Now that war was no longer a part of our lives, we
could focus ourselves to the things that really mattered... eating
and reproducing. But we were a bit too fanatic about this. Soon, the
planet couldn't hold more tribbles, so we had to find another
solution, namely: spacetravel. 

Our greatest scientists thought about warp-drive, and they even had
plans to build it. But unfortunately, being a being with no limbs, it
was difficult to create it. We were doomed to die from starvation,
and overpopulation. 

Luckily, we got visitors from outer space. It seemed some merchants
liked our planet, and liked us. They took a few of us into their
ship, and sold us as pets. We didn't mind. Now, we had room enough,
for us, and our offspring. 

This is how one of my ancestors came onto the USS Enterprise, NCC
1701. He was the one captain Kirk almost sat on... O man... I'm so
proud! 

But anyway... My ancestor was one of the tribbles who got taken away
by Captain Sisko, to the 24th century. There, we learned that the
Klingons... -Ow, I hate those!- had destroyed all of our family, on
our home planet. But thank goodness we got our revenge... The
Klingons contracted a rare virus, that was native to our planet.
Somehow, this changed their appearance... They now grew all kind of
ridges on their foreheads! Hah, serves them right! 

But anyway, now I'm here, on starbase 314. A kid called Thomas had
just bought me. And I'm so hungry... I could eat a whole storage of
grain, if there was any! So now I'm purring as loud as I can, so that
Thomas thinks I am cute, and feeds me... He'll be in for a surprise
when he does... as will his parents! Muahahahaha! 

There he comes. I must stop talking now. It has been nice talking to
you! And if you get your eyes on a report which tells you starbase
314 has been abandoned... You'll know it's because the Tribbles are
eating it apart! 

For now, goodbye! 

Tribby the Tribble,

Son of Trobby the Tribble,

Daughter of Trebby the Tribble,

Son of Mr T the Tribble

Son of Targ the Tribble

Daughter of Tribble the Unknown,

Daughter of the Tribble Kirk sat on! 

Translated from the Tribble language into English, by Rob Versteegt.

=====================================================================
           PR Character Interviews compiled by Rob Versteegt
=====================================================================
As you might have known, we from the PR-department have asked you to
let your character answer some questions. Now you can see for
yourself what the others have said... 

Enjoy!
Rob Versteegt, Chief PR. 

- Name: Matuga Denebris. 
- Position: First Officer. 
- Dutystation: USS Odyssey. 
- Rank: Commander. 

- What do you think of your dutystation? 
The Odyssey is a fine ship. I would prefer for it to be better armed,
but the Intrepid class makes up for it in manueverability and speed,
which helps in a combat situation. 

- Why did you join starfleet? 
I joined to help protect people-Starfleet is primarily a military
organization, despite its commitment to peace and exploration.
Starfleet has given me an organized banner from which to faciliate my
aims. 

- Could you tell us a bit about yourself? 
My parents were killed by the Borg when I was very young, so I was
raised by my stepsister and grandparents. I took four years of
advanced combat training at the Sun Tzu War Academy in Switzerland,
so you can imagine that the combat drills at Starfleet Academy seemed
rather tame. After that, I attended Starfleet Academy for four years.
I was assigned to the USS  

Odyssey, and I started out as Assistant Security/Tactical Chief, but
quickly rose up through the ranks due to some officers
transferring/being reassigned and some good luck. 

- What has been your favorite mission so far? 
I can't say it was my favorite, but the most interesting mission was
definitely when a rogue artificial intelligence infected the
computers at Pandora Station and on the Odyssey while we were docked
there, creating many....interesting holograms for us to deal with.
Suffice to say, it was something I will never forget, but the Odyssey
crew handled it well, and despite being very new and inexperienced
the new station crew showed some mettle, particularly their new
security chief. Holograms with attitude are not easy to deal with. 

- Name: Andrusia 
- Position: Assistant CONN officer 
- Dutystation: U.S.S. Odyssey 
- Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade 

- What do you think of your dutystation? 
Well its a great job, I get to see the stars and I am apart of the
bridge crew. The most action happens on the bridge as its the hive
and brain of the ship and I think having so much power at your finger
tips is excellent the slightest touch and the vessel your piloting
will follow through. 

- Why did you join starfleet? 
I joined Starfleet as I felt it was the best thing to do, as if you
want to be a pilot you've got to start somewhere and why not on some
of the biggest and fastest vessels in the galaxy. My ship the U.S.S.
Odyssey is one of the best ships in the fleet well I think so anyway
she's sleek and very manouverable and when I sit at that helm I
become an officer in Starfleet.  

- Could you tell us a bit about yourself? 
I'm one quarter Vulcan, not by choice but because my mother was one
half Vulcan and my father was human. Ive made an interesting career
from nothing, being abandoned and raised by humans. Im not a typical
Vulcan as I let my emotions run freely but I still know the means and
efforts to control them when I need too. My main interest is reading,
I have read many books and have a wide collection of literature from
around the world. They are all leather covered and believe me they
were hard to get, thats one of my many pastimes. 

- What has been your favorite mission so far? Since I joined the crew
Ive been on great missions each one different from the next, I cant
say I have a favourite mission as I have enjoyed them all. 

- Name: Jamie Davison 
- Position: Assistant Chief Counselor 
- Dutystation: USS Valkyrie 
- Rank: Ensign 

- What do you think of your dutystation? 
I've only just been transferred onto the Valkyrie from the Academy,
so I have not been able to take it all in yet, the crew seem exciting
enough, and I've read their phsycological profiles created by the
Chief, and boy are they messed up! And a Prometheus Class Vessel, how
much fun is it gonna be?

- Why did you join starfleet? 
I joined Starfleet to help others, and further the expanses of Human
knowledge, of both self, and the universe at large, and if I can fit
it in, to have a bit of fun as well.

- Could you tell us a bit about yourself? 
Well, that's a doozy, I was Genetically Modified before I was
conceived as a Ferengi haggled my parents into allot of money to
undergo a surgery to increase my mental abilities, needless to say,
he lied, now all I have form that procedure is shocking green hair
and a very good haggling ability. I love helping people, so I guess
that's why I joined Starfleet Medical, and then transferred to
Counseling after that. And Hey, i even found love at the Academy, so
good things do happen. 

- What has been your favorite mission so far? 
Since I've just transferred here, I can't really comment on that, but
I can say that my training missions in the Academy where to die for,
literally, and my favorite was a post Borg attack Outpost, we had to
get it on it's feet and protect it until reinforcements arrived, with
plenty of Borg drones running round, and an alien attack, we sure
where prepared to get out into space for real.

Name: Sarin 
Position: Federation Ambassador to Deep Space Delta One 
Dutystation: USS Calhoun / Deep Space Delta One 
Rank: Ambassador 
Age: 41 
Race: Romulan/Vulcan 

- What do you think of your dutystation? 
I chose to come to the USS Calhoun and thereby chose to resign my
commission as First Officer of Pandora Station for a few reasons. The
first one being that my wife, Jennifer who was my girlfriend back
then, served as Commanding Officer of the Calhoun. I had met her
during my time as assistant security/tactical chief on the transwarp
vessel, so I was already familiar with the ship. Now, the problem was
not about me being on another ship, but more me being in another
quadrant! ... Oh wait, I'm drifting from the subject .... of course I
like my dutystation, new worlds to discover, new races to meet...
It's proven to be quite the challenge with my wife as Commanding
Officer and a crazy woman as First Officer.... She's not going to
read this interview... right ? .. I hope..

- Why did you join starfleet? 
To protect and serve of course, but too be honest.. I can't go into
detail about the circumstances because of security reasons... Sorry..


- Could you tell us a bit about yourself? 
Sure, I did drift off a bit in one of the previous subjects, so I
told you little already. My wife and I are expecting our first born
and we're looking forward to joy she will bring. Like I said, I
started my Federation life as an Ensign on the USS Calhoun as
assistant security/tactical chief. 

Promotions happened faster then expected and soon, I found myself
sitting in the First Officer's chair on the USS Odyssey. After a
brief commission at Pandora Station as FO, I resigned to accept an
ambassador position at DSD1... .of course to be alongside my wife. 

- What has been your favorite mission so far? 
I have to agree with my former colleague Matuga Denebris and say that
the AI that took over Pandora Station was the weirdest thing I've
seen so far. It was also the mission after which I desided to
transfer, not sure why I did that though. I think that maybe a change
of scenary was going to make me get over missing Jennifer so much..
guess I was wrong, hey. 

- Name: Thren Vok
- Position: Assistant Chief Medical Officer.
- Dutystation: Pandora station.
- Rank: Ensign 

- What do you think of your dutystation?
I haven't been here very long, but from what I have seen, most people
are... let's say... not very normal. Engineers who'll give me a
plasma tourch, when sickbay is all dark, a crewman who escapes from a
prison, an ensign who trashes my sickbay, and another crewman, who
has lost his memories, and is pointing a phaser at me. Guess it just
hasn't been my day. 

- Why did you join starfleet?
Well, I wanted to meet other species, (I'm an Andorian) and Starfleet
seemed like a good place to do just that. Also, I wanted some action,
and I wanted to follow in my mother's footsteps... I wanted to become
a doctor. 

- Could you tell us a bit about yourself?
Like I said, I'm an Andorian. It seems my skin-colour doesn't match
with that of my uniform... I still have to think of something to do
about that. Usually, you can find me in sickbay. But if I'm not
there, I like to go to the holodeck, and blow of some steam. Either
by targetpractise, or just physical activity. 

- What has been your favorite mission so far?
This is my first mission. I really like it so far. Let's just say...
there are enough challenges ahead! 

- Name: Giellun Maiek 
- Position: CSO 
- Dutystation: USS Valkyrie NCC 78603 
- Rank: StarFleet Commander, Romulan Centurion 

- What do you think of your dutystation? 
A superior vessel. Easily a match for anything else in the quadrant.
Somewhat more emphasis on comfort than realistically needed, however
the crew doesn't seem to mind. It's sole fault seems to be it's
command structure. We regularly aquire a new captain, which leads one
to believe that after any number of hours spent with us, it is
preferable to abandon ship. 

- Why did you join starfleet? 
*loud laugh* I never joined StarFleet. My vast expertise is simply on
loan. In pursuing a trio of Borg vessels I encountered the crew. A
small mountain of paperwork later, it was decided I would fill our
two people's requirements for an exchange officer. Compensation from
the empire was yet to be determined. 

- Could you tell us a bit about yourself? 
No. Sorry. That is classified. I am not at liberty to give out
details of my work, and naturally my work is my life. I can tell you
however, that I have an abundance of experience with the Borg, as
well as the field of nano-engineering as it relates to their study.
My wife was the other half of the coin, in studying the biological
componets of their species. After her assimilation I left the science
community behind in pursuit of retrieving her. 

- What has been your favorite mission so far? 
Well I had an entertaining trip with a security officer which landed
me in the brig. Although that was a different vessel entirely. But
favorite, hmm... I believe our encounter with a handful of Q was the
peak. Animated food stuffs, forced romances, sudden decompression,
and of course finding myself host to a Trill symbiont were among the
more interesting highlights. You wouldn't believe how much knowledge
that little worm had acculmated over it's lifetime. 

Well everybody, these are the characters so far... Thanks everybody
who has responded! (Or maybe everybody who will respond! <G>) 

Rob Versteegt
ACSO Jalando, Pandora station.
PR-Chief. 

Special thanks to:
Martin Miller,
Assistant PR.


=====================================================================
        The Alpha Centauri Mystery - Part 6 - by Ben Versteegt 
=====================================================================

Summary: Ensign Sandra Burke, together with the Ferengi bartender
Zaag, a mysterious Cardassian and some even more mysterious samples,
have all just been beamed from a planet in the Alpha Centauri system
to the USS Aquinas. A devastating attack by the Romulans has left the
Starfleet base on that planet in ruins. The purpose of that attack
was to find and take the samples the Starfleet scientists were
researching. However, the Cardassian also wanted those samples, and
unaware of the Romulans' plot to steal them, he had tried to do the
same by taking Zaag hostage. He was freed by Sandra, who lured the
Cardassian into a trap by using the samples as bait. Now, neither the
Romulans nor the Cardassian possessed the samples... but Sandra did. 

And now the continuation: 


The doors to the Bridge opened, and, escorted by an Ensign from
Security, Sandra and Zaag stepped out of the turbolift. She still
held the case containing the samples in her hand. "All right, Uncle
Pete," she said to the Captain. "We're here. Now what?"

The Captain gave her a look.

"Er... sorry, *Captain*," she said, correcting herself. She knew
Captain Ayer didn't like to be called 'Uncle Pete' in front of his
Bridge crew. She understood. It wasn't appropriate for an Ensign to
address a Captain like that.

She cleared her throat, trying to hide her shame. "Er... Captain,"
she began again, "Why am I here, exactly? What was it that you wanted
to see me about?"

"In a minute, Ensign," he said, and turned to the CONN officer.
"Helm, break orbit, and set a course for Starbase 067. Warp 8."

He paused as the Helm officer entered the coordinates and speed. The
Lieutenant reported ready, after which Ayer ordered, "Engage." 

On the viewscreen, Sandra saw the planet they were going to leave
behind, and which had been her home for a while. It disappeared of
the viewscreen and was replaced by the starfield. A colourful
spectacle of light appeared, as the ship went to warp. Finally, the
stars flew by them at great speed; the ship was at warp. 

Sandra felt a little queasy. It had been a while since she had last
been at warp. She'd be fine, though.

The Captain got out of the center seat. "In my ready room." he said,
while looking at Sandra. She nodded, and followed him.

"What about me?" Zaag asked. He felt out of place on the Bridge of a
starship.

"I'm sorry," was the response from Captain Ayer. "This is
confidential."

"Zaag can be trusted, Captain," said Sandra. "He's not like other
Ferengi. Plus, he has been through so much already, I think he
deserves to know what is going on too."

"Fine," the Captain sighed. "He'd probably hear it from you anyway,
Sandra. Might as well hear it from me." He gestured towards Zaag to
follow him. 

The three had moved to the adjacent room that was Ayer's ready room,
and the Captain offered them a seat and a drink. "Tea anyone?" he
asked. "Coffee perhaps?"

"Coffee." Sandra said immediately, without thinking. She could use a
cup. Zaag didn't want anything. The only thing he wanted was to know
what exactly was going on. 

The Captain didn't waste any time with pleasantries. As soon as they
had sat down and he had handed Sandra her cup of coffee, he leaned
forward on his elbows, eyeing both Sandra and Zaag. This was going to
be important. 

His eyes remained fixed on Sandra. "You've gotten yourself into a lot
of trouble, Sandra. Again."

"What trouble?" she replied. "What do you mean?"

"The samples," he stated. "It seems the whole quadrant is after them.
The Cardassians, the Romulans, hell, I wouldn't be surprised if even
the Borg decided to drop by and try to steal those samples."

"But why?" Sandra asked puzzled. "Why do they want these samples so
badly they would risk a war with the Federation to get them?"

The Captain leaned back into his chair with a sigh. "You've scanned
the samples," he said. "You know as well as I do that those samples
can be used as an energy source."

"So?"

"What you probably don't know, is that the power output of even one
of those crystals is far greater than the output of the power sources
we've been using so far. Hell, the samples you're holding can
probably power about fifteen of our starships, quite possibly with
power to spare!" 

The case suddenly seemed much heavier to Sandra. "Fifteen ships?" She
looked at the content of the case. There were only four crystals in
it. "How can a crystal produce that much power?"

"You've probably noticed already that the samples emit an unusual
form of radiation," the Captain answered. "Properly processed, and
with a modified conversion matrix, the radiation could be used to
power anything, from a warp core to a whole starbase, to quite
possibly a whole planet!"

"That's... fascinating," Sandra said. "So these crystals are a power
source. So what? There are other sources of power in the galaxy. Why
does everyone want these crystals?"

"Because they're the most powerful source of power known to us. The
power is comparable to..." he paused, to find the right words for
this comparison. "To tell you the truth, Sandra, we don't know
exactly how powerful these crystals are. We just know they are the
most powerful substance known to us."

"That sure is something."

"It is." The Captain's face was more serious than Sandra had ever
seen. "And it is also a great threat to the Federation," he said
softly. He paced around the ready room, and finally stopped to stare
out of the window into space. "You both know the Cardassians and the
Romulans are involved already," he continued, keeping his eyes fixed
on the moving starfield, "however, Starfleet fears that other races
might decide to join the party, and try to get some of their own
samples." He sighed. "As you may know, the Dominion War has cost
Starfleet many good ships and crews. They're not easy to replace,
especially on such short notice."

"What are you trying to say, Uncle Pete?" 

The Captain took a deep breath, and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"We are weak, Sandra. Weaker than we have ever been before. All our
ships are scattered across Federation space. If one is attacked, the
closest ship will be a few hours away, even at maximum warp."

Sandra didn't move. She tried to keep a neutral _expression, but it
wasn't easy to do. "Are you telling me that... we may have peace now,
but we are too weak to defend ourselves if war, if , or when, it
comes?" 

Captain Ayer nodded. "That's about it, yes. A new source of power
like these crystals inside Federation space could easily lure other
species here - as it has already done in the case of the Cardassians
and the Romulans, it seems. You must understand, we are not ready for
such an invasion." 

"I doubt the Ferengi will just stay and watch this happen," Zaag
said. It was the first time he spoke since the meeting began. "They
will probably want to take advantage of the situation. There are a
few who will do anything to get their hands on valuable merchandise,
these days."

Ayer turned and looked at Zaag with a hint of suspicion in his eyes.

"I'm not one of them!" the Ferengi said quickly. 

"Bridge to Captain Ayer," the comm suddenly burst to life. "Long
range sensors just picked up a ship... It's on an intercept course."

Ayer's eyes met Sandra's for a moment. They were both worried. This
could be a Romulan or Cardassian ship, trying to steal the samples.

The Captain sighed and walked out of the Ready Room. Zaag and Sandra
followed him to the Bridge. "What kind of ship?" Ayer asked the
tactical officer.

"Unknown, Sir," the Lieutenant answered, looking at his console.
"They are generating some sort of dampening field. It's interfering
with our sensors."

"Red Alert!" Ayer shouted. As the Bridge was lit up by the lights of
the red alert, and the sound of the klaxon filled the room, the
Captain turned to the Helm officer. "Time to Starbase 67?"

"Six hours, at our current speed," was the answer.

The Captain sighed. Six hours... "Take us to maximum warp," he
ordered. 

"The unknown ship is still gaining on us, Sir." The STC sounded
nervous. "They will overtake us in less than ten minutes."

"What's their speed?"

"They are travelling at warp 9,98, from the looks of it, Sir," the
STC replied.

"And this old Excelsior class can only go 9,4, max..." the Helmsman
muttered. 

"Hail them," the Captain said.

For a moment, there was nothing but silence.

"No response, Captain."

"Open a channel."

The STC nodded to the Captain to indicate the channel was open. "This
is Captain Ayer of the Federation starship USS Aquinas to unknown
vessel. Please identify yourself."

Again, a moment of silence. Ayer looked at the STC.

"They are receiving the transmission, Sir," the Lieutenant reported.
"They just seem to ignore it."

"Send the message again. All languages, all frequencies."

After another tense moment, the STC shook his head. "Nothing, Sir." 

Ayer took a deep breath. "Shields up," he said softly. "Ready phasers
and photons."

"Sir, they are entering visual range."

Uncle Pete straightened his uniform. "Let's see them. Maximum
magnification."

On the viewscreen the image of the stars passing by disappeared, and
was replaced by the sight of a vessel, closing on the Aquinas with
great speed. 

It took the Bridge crew a few moments to realize they were fleeing
from a Starfleet vessel. Sandra was the first to speak. "But... it's
Starfleet! A Prometheus class, if I'm not mistaken. An ally!" 

"Sir," the FO, a Vulcan, began, "maybe it would be wise to drop out
of warp. Clearly we have nothing to fear from them. Why should we
run?"

The Captain shook his head lightly. "Something doesn't smell right."

"Sir?" the Vulcan FO raised an eyebrow.

"Why the aggressive posture?" Ayer asked, "Why the sensor dampening
field? Why won't they let us scan them? And why won't they respond to
our hails?"

"Perhaps they consider us a threat," the Vulcan explained. "We *are*
exceeding the standard Federation cruising speed of this area, Sir.
Our course indicates to them that we have recently left a planet
where a Federation base was attacked. They may suspect we have
something to do with that attack."

"We are a Federation ship!" Ayer cried out.

the FO raised her eyebrow again. "So are they." 

The Captain still didn't like it. He looked at the STC. "Anything on
sensors?"

"No Sir. They are still somehow deflecting our sensor scans with
their dampening field."

The CO rubbed the bridge of his nose again. He had a decision to
make. Continue to flee from a Starfleet vessel, which seemed totally
illogical, as his FO had pointed out, or to drop out of warp?"

"Sir, we should drop out of warp," the FO urged. "If we continue to
flee from them like this, they will certainly think we are the enemy.
I suggest we disengage the warp drive immediately."

The Captain looked up. "I don't think so. Lieutenant Watters,
increase power to the aft shields." He tapped his comm badge. "Bridge
to Engineering. I want all the power you can give me to be rerouted
to the warp engines. Give me more speed, Commander."

A confused voice replied, "Aye Sir, I'll... see what I can do.
Zjavick out." 

"Sir, what are you trying to do?" the Vulcan asked in a calm, but at
the same time surprised voice. "The logical thing to do would be to
drop out of warp, not increase our speed."

"Call it a hunch, Commander. I have a gut feeling something is wrong
with these people who are chasing us, and I don't want to find out
what." 

The FO was going to reply, but a voice over the comm interrupted her.
"Zjavick to Bridge. I can give you warp 9 point 6, but that's the
best I can do."

"That won't be enough, Commander," Ayer replied. "We need more speed
if we're going to outrun these guys."

"But sir..."

"More speed, Commander!"

"Sir, I can't just..."

"Then find a way, Mr. Zjavick. That's an order. Ayer out." 

He looked at the Lieutenant at Helm. "CONN, warp 9,6. Engage!"

"Aye Captain. Warp 9 point four three... 9 point four six... point
four eight..." the Helmsman reported as the ship began to move
faster. "Warp 9 point five one... five two..." The ship started to
shake heavily. Sandra had to hold on to a console, to prevent her
from falling onto the floor. 

"Warning." the voice of the computer sounded throughout the Bridge.
"Current speed exceeding structural integrity field specifications.
Six minutes and twenty-five seconds to structural integrity field
collapse." 

"Great..." Ayer muttered. He tapped his commbadge "Mr. Zjavick, I
hate to disturb you..."

"I'm already on it, Captain!" the CEO shouted. "Rerouting emergency
power to the SIF! I might be able to stabilize the field for now, but
if we don't drop out of warp soon, the field will collapse!"

The STC interrupted the conversation, "The Prometheus-class vessel is
still gaining on us... They are entering weapons range!"

Ayer sighed. "I have the feeling we will be forced to drop out of
warp soon enough, Mr. Zjavick. Do what you can. Bridge out." 

He had just closed the comm channel, when a few severe shocks went
through the entire ship. A console exploded, along with a plasma
conduit. Pressurized gas found it's way onto the Bridge. "Seal that
leak!" Ayer shouted to a few crewmen who were standing around on the
Bridge, doing nothing. He turned to the STC. "Rapport!"

"That was a quantum torpedo volley!" the Lieutenant shouted back, as
he was reading the data off his console. "They are firing on us,
Sir!"

Another shock forced the crew to hold on to their seats and consoles.
"They're targeting our warp engines, Sir." 

"They are Federation!" Sandra yelled. "Why would they attack us?"
Some more shocks and explosion threw her on the ground. Zaag helped
her get up. 

"Aft shields are down to 69 %!" the Lieutenant at Tactical reported.

"Bridge!" Zjavick yelled through the comm channel. "the engines are
under a lot of stress already. They can't take much more of this
pounding! We have to drop out of warp, or we'll blow up!"

More torpedoes hit the ship. "Send a distress call to Starbase 67,"
Ayer ordered Watters. "Let them know we are under attack, and that we
need help now!"

"Aye, Sir." Watters began to work, but looked up only a moment later.
"Sir... they're jamming our transmission... I can't get through!"

Ayer didn't have time to reply to this new set back, since the voice
of the CEO again shouted through the comm channel, "Bridge, we need
to drop out of warp *now*! The engines won't hold much longer!"

"How much more time can you give us, Commander?" Ayer asked,
desperately searching for options.

"About 20, maybe 25 seconds," was the reply. "After that, I can
always give you more time... if you don't mind the ship to explode,
that is."

Ayer sighed heavily. He was now forced to drop his ship out of warp,
and to defend it from a Prometheus class vessel, which was a lot more
advanced that the Aquinas, an old Excelsior class. Still, he didn't
have any choice.

"On my mark," he said, "drop out of warp, then turn the ship around.
Watters, transfer all available power to the shields and weapons once
we disengage the warp drive. Once we face them, fire everything you
got, understood?"

Both the Helmsman and Lieutenant Watters nodded.

"Good," Ayer said with a faint smile. "We'll show these bastards what
the Aquinas is made of. We may be outgunned and outclassed, but we're
sure as hell not going to give up without a fight!" 

Sandra waited in fear as the last seconds slipped away. She knew she
might die in the battle, but there was nothing she could do about it.
Ayer looked at her, and she nodded. Whatever would happen, she would
support Uncle Pete. Always. 

Captain Ayer took a deep breath. More shocks hit the ship. Numerous
systems were beginning to fail. On top of that, the ship he was on
was going to explode if they remained in warp for a few seconds. He
grabbed hold of a console, bracing himself for what would happen.
Then, with remarkable confidence in his ship and his crew, and with
no hesitation at all, he said, 

"MARK!" 

To be continued...

=====================================================================
           Da Trivia - Edition Four by Guido Dorssers
=====================================================================

Well, there were three participants last time, while nobody responded
by email with suggestions for how to improve the participation rate
of the Trivia. However, on the forums we disccussed giving a multiple
choice trivia a try. However, the question remains: To participate or
not to participate!

First the answers to last time's questions:

Q1. What is Seven's translink frequency?
A1. Translink frequency 108.44236000

Q2. Did Gene Roddenberry really like to have Patrick Stewart casted
as Captain?
A2. No, he did not. Robert H. Justman 'found' the new Captain on a
night in October 1986. However Gene Roddenberry's reaction after
their first minute which lasted 30 minutes was "I won't have him!
He's not what I have in mind." Later on Rick Berman came aboard and
he supported Justman in wanting to have Patrick Stewart as their new
Captain, however Gene Roddenberry did not gave in. After having
exhausted all other possibilities and having rejected actor after
actor time ran out and Gene finally gave in.

Q3. Who are this? And a bonuspoint for the episode. ;)
 "I'll have then hot fudge sundaes."
 "I have never seen anyone eat ten chocolate sundaes."
 "I'm in a really bad mood. And since I've never eaten before, I
should be very hungry."
A3. Q and Data in Déjà Q (TNG).

Q4. What is the designation of the USS Essex?
A4. The USS Essex can be seen in 'Power Play' (TNG), it's
designations is NCC 173.

Q5. Do you still remember Commander Shelby from TNG's double episode
'Best of Both Worlds' ? Well, who is she married to?
A5. If you answered to who the actress is married, bad luck. If you
answered something like 'her husband', nice try. But the answer I
wanted to hear was: Mackenzie Calhoun (or in Xenexian: M'k'n'zy of
Calhoun).

Q6. The NCC-1701-7 is...?
A6. Starship Enterprise, NCC-1701-7, to be known as the Enterprise
Seven. An early name for the Enterprise-D during the development of
The Next Generation.

Q7. Who? Bonuspoint for the episode. ;)
 "It has been my observation that one of the prices of giving people
freedom of choice... is that sometimes they make the wrong choice."
A7. Odo to Kira in Shakaar (DS9)

Q8. In the TNG episode "Brothers" Data locks up the transporter with
an access code. This prevents the crew from following him in beaming
down. Now, why did they not take a shuttlecraft?
A8. I am sorry for the simplistic answer: Bad writing

Q9. Who? Bonuspoint for the episode. ;)
 "Worlds may change, galaxies disintegrate, but a woman... always
remains a woman."
A9. Kirk to Lenore Karidian in The Conscience of the King (TOS).

Q10. In case of ties, how many SETI units will have be analyzed by
the ST Frontier Fleet SETI team at November 11, 1111 GMT.
A10. Results received 5285

Notes:
2. I have not taken the long answer into account since since all
participants basically said that Gene wanted a real Frenchman.
6. All participants answered the Shuttle Galileo which seems to have
been a correct answer too, but not the one I wanted to hear. ;)

So that gives the following score:

1st) Merijn Donders (11 points; tie guess: 5311)
2nd) Rob Verlinden (10 points; tie guess: 5284)
3rd) Bram Peeters (10 points; tie guess: 5260)

------------
 MPC Trivia
------------

1) Zak Kebron wanted to have the following pets:
 A) Goldfish
 B) Koi
 C) Snakes
 D) Cats

2) Which actor has been seen multiple times in both Everwood and
StarTrek ?
 A) Treat Williams
 B) Tom Amandes
 C) Stephanie Neznik
 D) Robert Duncan McNeill
 E) Vivien Cardone

3) What is the number of Data's room in Hotel Brian?
 A) 134
 B) 143
 C) 314
 D) 341
 E) 413
 F) 431

4) Where does the Enterprise go after the episode "Heart of Glory" ?
 A) Starbase 84
 B) Starbase 48
 C) Minos

5) Who said: "All this running around you do... your 'mission'.
You're so dedicated, you know? Like you care about something more
than just your own little life."
 A) Q
 B) Katharine Maywald
 C) Janet Wallace
 D) Rain Robinson
 E) Carol Marcus

6) Who said: "Four thousand throats may be cut in one night by a
running man."
 A) Romulan
 B) Quentin Tarantino
 C) Klingon
 D) Uma Thurman
 E) Andorian

7) Which Cox does not fit in?
 A) Greg Cox
 B) Nikki Cox
 C) Richard Cox
 D) Ronny Cox

8) The USS Lalo is:
 A) Excelsior Class
 B) Istanbul Class
 C) Mediterranean Class
 D) Merced Class

9) Which planet corresponds with "Ship in a bottle" ?
 A) Angel One
 B) El-Adrel IV
 C) Gamma Trianguli VI
 D) Meles II
 E) Melina II

10) Open question, the regular tie breaker: In case of ties, how many
SETI units will have be analyzed by the ST Frontier Fleet SETI team
at December 12, 1212 GMT? (And please, if you want to be of influence
on your own guess, do so by participating and running SETI at Home on
your own machine too!)

Please send in your answers to stff-trivia at starbase12.cjb.net before
December 10, 0000 GMT. Everything coming in afterwards won't be
counted anymore.

Good luck and have fun!

Guido

=====================================================================
                 Promotions by Clare Bradley
=====================================================================

>From Cadet to Ensign:
OPS Ian Connor, USS Valkyrie, played by Mark Cornelissen
ASTC John James Carter, USS Valkyrie, played by John McGinty
AOPS Ryhlix, Pandora Station, played by David Wilson

=====================================================================
             Top Ten Posters in October by Clare Bradley
=====================================================================

#10. Aaron Delay, 11 posts. 
     (CAL: 11)

#9. Bram Peeters, 14 posts. 
    (ODY: 6, PS: 8)

#8. Dennis Church, 15 posts. (TIE)
    (ODY: 15)

#7. Laura Elliott, 15 posts. (TIE)
    (CAL: 15)

#6. Rob Verlinden, 16 posts.
    (ODY: 16)

#5. Martin Miller, 18 posts.
    (ODY: 15, VALK: 3)

#4. Kelley MacKinnon, 19 posts.
    (CAL: 19)

#3. Ben Versteegt, 26 posts. (TIE)
    (ODY: 26)

#2. David Susman, 26 posts. (TIE)
    (ODY: 20, PS: 6)

AND THE NUMBER ONE POSTER IN OCTOBER IS...

#1. ROB VERSTEEGT, 28 posts!!!
    (ODY: 10, PS: 18)

Top Three Posters of the USS Calhoun:
#3. Aaron Delay, 10 posts.
#2. Laura Elliot, 15 posts. 
#1. Kelley MacKinnon, 19 posts.

Top Three Posters of the USS Odyssey:
#3. Rob Verlinden, 16 posts.
#2. David Susman, 20 posts.
#1. Ben Versteegt, 26 posts.

Top Three Posters of Pandora Station: 
#3. Merijn Donders, 8 posts. (TIE)
#2. Bram Peeters, 8 posts. (TIE)
#1. Rob Versteegt, 18 posts.

Duty Station Rankings:
USS Odyssey, 129 posts total.
USS Calhoun, 70 posts total. 
Pandora Station, 48 posts total.
USS Valkyrie, 46 posts total.

Fleet Wide Rankings:
1. Rob Versteegt, 28. (ODY: 10, PS: 18)
2. David Susman, 26. (ODY: 20, PS: 6)
3. Ben Versteegt, 26. (ODY: 26)
4. Kelley MacKinnon, 19. (CAL: 19)
5. Martin Miller, 18. (ODY: 15, VALK: 3)
6. Rob Verlinden, 16. (ODY: 16)
7. Laura Elliott, 15. (CAL: 15)
8. Dennis Church, 15. (ODY: 15)
9. Bram Peeters, 14. (ODY: 6, PS: 8)
10. Aaron Delay, 11. (CAL: 11)
11. Adrian Rodd, 10. (CAL: 10)
12. Jake Hanlon, 8. (CAL: 8)
13. Dave Church, 8. (ODY: 8)
14. Tom Shilakes, 8. (ODY: 3, VALK: 5)
15. Merijn Donders, 8. (PS: 8)
16. Clare Bradley, 7. (VALK: 7)
17. Dreamer Jopnes, 6. (VALK: 6)
18. Werner Kay, 5. (ODY: 5)
19. Shannon O'Dain, 5. (ODY: 5)
20. Cody Ferro, 4. (CAL: 4)
21. Jonathan Hardy, 4. (ODY: 4)
22. Wes Buchanan, 4. (PS: 4)
23. John Wenerowicz, 4. (VALK: 4)
24. Sandy Alexander, 3. (CAL: 3)
25. Mark van der Laan, 3. (VALK: 3)
26. Linia Saddington, 3. (VALK: 3)
27. Jamie Davison, 3. (VALK: 3)
28. Mark Cornelissen, 3. (VALK: 3)
29. John McGinty, 2. (VALK: 2)
30. David Wilson, 1. (PS: 1)
31. Grant Lile, 1. (PS: 1)
32. Desmond Grier, 1. (PS: 1)
33. Brandon Allard, 1. (VALK: 1)
34. Jed Cohen, 1. (VALK: 1)

















=====
clarerose at yahoo.com
ICQ# 58898832

__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Protect your identity with Yahoo! Mail AddressGuard
http://antispam.yahoo.com/whatsnewfree