The Is A Disturbance On The USS Phoenix...

Posted on Mar 18, 2017 @ 8:27pm by Captain Michael Turlogh Kane & Ensign Arak Schad & Ambassador Xana Bonviva
Edited on on Mar 18, 2017 @ 8:28pm

Mission: In Place of God

"There Is a Disturbance on The USS PHOENIX..."



=/\=


Location: USS PHOENIX

Scene: Captain's Ready Room Deck 1, saucer section

SD: [2.17] 0317.0049


Michael Turlogh Kane and Jake Crichton were waiting in the ready room, awaiting contact from Admiral T'sen, the new Head of Starfleet Operations. The wall chronometer ticked closer to the top of the scheduled hour. Neither of them had said much - now that the faulty holodeck program had been purged and the Spacedock engineers had all disembarked, there was nothing to stop the Phoenix from being put to work. She was three months behind launch schedule, something which had no doubt infuriated the Starfleet mandarins, but both Kane and Jake knew that T'sen would finally implement a decision that had been made by her staff.

There were several possibilities, but some of them were tempered by the kind of ship the Phoenix was. The dreadnought's launch nearly two years had made all existing starships obsolete from a technological point of view, but she was still just one starship, and she was not invincible. The Romulans, for example, had not yet constructed something to match the Phoenix, but Starfleet Intelligence would be fools if they thought that nothing was coming.

"I think it'll be the Neutral Zone," murmured Jake again. He and Kane had spent the last few minutes wondering what Starfleet had in store for the Phoenix, but the answer they kept coming back to was the military one - if you have a big stick, you're going to swing it. The Romulans had been quiet since the siege of Bolarus and their subsequent withdrawal back across the Neutral Zone, but now that the quadrant was a seesaw, tipping between the two hostile superpowers for the last twenty years, it would make sense for the Federation to send the Phoenix to shore up the Neutral Zone while a new fleet was being assembled. The might of Starfleet's dreadnought being close at hand, ready to lead any ripostes should the Romulans cross the border again, could well be all that was necessary to keep the peace.

On the other hand, escalation might not be the most prudent of choices. Starfleet had been badly bloodied in the past couple of years, and it was possible that the Romulans were spoiling for a fight and look for an excuse to get involved in one. Perhaps it might show more wisdom to send the Phoenix off on another mission of exploration - five, maybe ten, years into the dead worlds of the Beta Quadrant? In his own heart, this option was what Kane admitted to himself that he'd like to see happen - far away from the Federation, far away from Earth and its backstabbing politics - but was forced to agree with Jake.

"We could ask for new postings," deadpanned Kane.

Jake scratched his chin thoughtfully. "I do wonder why they keep all of us together."

Kane didn't answer, but he knew what Jake was talking about. It was a rare occasion when Starfleet kept the same crew together on the same starship - under normal circumstances, the Phoenix's command crew would have been broken up and sent off to new duty stations, but that hadn't happened. Maybe it was a media thing - Kane didn't know.

They didn't have to wait for long. The screen on Kane's desktop terminal winked into life - the sky-blue flag of the Federation giving way to the symbol of Starfleet Operations. Kane pressed a control to activate the connection, and found himself looking at the waxy countenance of Rear Admiral T'sen, the Vulcan Head of Starfleet Operations. As she began to speak, a secondary screen appeared - scrolling texts with the ship's orders.

{{Captain Kane. I believe this is the first time we have spoken. I am T'sen.}}

Kane inclined his head. Saluting was outmoded in Starfleet, but some kind of deference to a higher rank was never going to go away. "Admiral," he said respectfully. "My first officer, Commander Crichton, is also here."

T'sen linked her fingers together. She was sitting up straight in what was probably her office in San Francisco - unlike the government, the higher operations of Starfleet still remained on Earth. {{I'll come straight to the point, Captain Kane. Starfleet Command has received a report from Spacedock indicating that the Phoenix is, at last, ready for launch. Is this so?}}

"Yes, Admiral. Commodore Young signed off on our computer upgrades yesterday. The ship and crew are standing by for our orders."

{{Then I shall not waste time.}} T'sen reached off-camera for a PADD, activated it, and began to read. {{The starship Phoenix is directed to launch from Spacedock at oh-eight-hundred hours on tomorrow's stardate. You will set a course for the Romulan Neutral Zone by way of Starbase 56, there to take up the role of command vessel of our Neutral Zone fleet. Your superior in that sector, Admiral Andrea Stiles, will direct your operations upon reporting to Starbase 56.}}

Kane and Jake shared a glance. It was the Neutral Zone after all, then. The Phoenix was being dispatched to confront the Romulans. "Understood, Admiral."

{{There is more, Captain Kane. I am also directing the Phoenix to provide passenger service to an important Terran civil servant, acting on behalf of one of the Federation Council members.}}

Kane raised an eyebrow. This was irregular, but not unheard of - starships were often used as passenger ferries for high-ranking politicians who needed quick transportation from one place to another. Still, it meant potential disruption to shipboard operations.

{{Your passenger is representing Hussein Karimi, the Terran Council member,}} continued T'sen, but as soon as she said those words, the blood was already draining from Kane's face. Across the table, Jake got to his feet and paced helplessly around the bridge. {{Her name is - }}

"Xana Bonviva," grated Kane. He facepalmed - on his screen, Admiral T'sen raised an eyebrow.

{{I see you know the name, Captain.}}

"I know it well," muttered Kane darkly.

{{Good,}} said T'sen airily. {{You will transport Ms. Bonviva as far as Bolarus and continue onward to the Neutral Zone. Those are your orders. Do you have any questions?}}

Kane knew better than to protest. This close to launch - tomorrow morning - the only thing that could save the ship from Xana Bonviva was activating the self-destruct mechanism and blowing it the fuck into pieces. "No, sir."

{{Good. I look forward to receiving Admiral Stiles' reports of your arrival. Starfleet out.}}

The screen winked to black, the connection cut, leaving just the text orders up on screen. Kane leaned back in his seat, a foul mood descending on him. Jake was standing there, looking helpless.

"It's the Romulans," ventured Jake.

"It's Xana," said Kane. He got to his feet and leaned on his desk. "Listen, Jake, it says here she's coming aboard this afternoon."

"I can handle it, Captain," said Jake purposefully. "My personal feelings won't interfere with my duty."

Kane knew better than to press it. "That'll be all, Commander. Inform the crew of the imminent launch of the ship and arrange quarters for our guest."

Jake nodded and turned go. Kane felt all the energy flow out of him, into the floor. The taste of bitter gall seemed to fill his mouth. Xana fucking Bonviva, he thought. Their paths has crossed for a mercifully short moment two years ago when the Phoenix was being launched, but he really knew her from his stint as CO of Gateway station ten years ago. Xana Bonviva had been his predecessor, and when she was given an Ambassador's brief to the Gamma Quadrant, he had come aboard the space station as its new commander - and butted heads with her almost immediately. Xana Bonviva was anathema to every personality trait that Kane possessed - she was fast with her mouth while he tried to keep control, she rushed rashly into action while he weighed up options, she was chatty and informal with her staff while he kept his distance from his. It was a mismatch made in heaven.

Faced with her continued interference with his command of the station following the closure of the Bajoran wormhole, and isolated seven hundred thousand light years from the nearest Federation outpost, Kane had declared martial law aboard the station and had her arrested. It shut her up - briefly - but it had also permanently soured relations between the two of them. She had gone on to marry Jake and birthed a slavering horde of bratling children, but now that they were getting divorced, Xana Bonviva's return to the corridors of the starship Phoenix spelled nothing but trouble. She was an agent of pure, unadulterated Chaos, who could not be trusted to observe the rules of Order.

Kane flipped the coin over in his mind, and saw his own face on the other side of it. "Commander."

"Sir?" Jake paused in the doorway of the ready room.

Kane looked at him significantly. "Keep that woman off my bridge, Commander Crichton. Understood?"

Jake nodded. "Yes, Captain."

He stepped outside, leaving Kane watching the chronometer, its ticking now like a countdown to doomsday.

=/\=

Scene: Transporter Room -> Corridor

Lt. Cantor Von shook his head as he mentally reviewed the orders. **Go and meet our guest and make sure sure she’s settled in.**

Given the uproar over the holodeck testing and the need to get out of here, Von was sure that Kane would have been here otherwise. Then again there was something in the way the orders were given gave the order that made it sound that the guest was not your typical transport...

The doors swooshed open and Lynette Ryan came in the room and relieved the Crewman at the transporter station quietly. As she did her checks, Von looked over and asked, “Wanted to be here for our guest?”

Lynette nodded at that. “I met Secretary Bonviva once, although I doubt she’ll remember that.” Continuing her checks she said, “We’ve got two minutes.”

“Why don’t you think she’ll remember?” Von asked.

“She spoke to every incoming and graduating Starfleet class when she was Secretary. I heard her when I was a first year cadet,” Lynette explained. Leaning in she said, “But I don’t think other Secretaries gave speeches like hers.” When Von raised an eyebrow the Engineer continued on with a conspiratorial grin, “She spoke about the usual stuff -- expect the unexpected; to whom much is given -- much is expected. Then she expanded on that. She gave examples from her career like how she negotiated with the Borg Consulate while teaching them the tango; or how to keep your liquor when drinking and debating trade deals with the Ferengi. Then she threw out a pop quiz, asking us what we’d do in unusual situations.”

Von shook his head, trying not to smile. “I wondered if she was related to Iphie; that settles it.” Looking over he said, “You got a pop quiz question right didn’t you?”

Lynette looked proud for a moment as she quickly tapped the console. “How to negotiate with the Hirogen when honor and Federation are on the line. Holograms, excellent aim, and speed. She used an old Terran device called a t-shirt cannon to award prizes.” As her fingers nimbly slid over the console and the room picked up the familiar blue glow and humming sound.

A moment later all of that died down and a tall azure woman stood there in a white flowy blouse, cinched at the waist with a wide brown belt, brown slacks, and tall boots. Her long white hair was neatly combed back and she had a bag next to her. Smiling at the group assembled after she materialized she said, “Hi, I’m Xana Bonviva. I believe you were expecting me.”

“Lt. Von,” the Ops Officer said as she stepped off the platform.

“Ensign Ryan,” Lynette said.

“Wonderful,” Xana nodded. There was a moment when her violet eyes scanned the room and the sparkle dimmed briefly as if she was expecting someone else, but she recovered quickly. “So where’s the out of the way place that Michael said to put me?” When Cantor Von and Lynette Ryan looked at her blankly, she slung her bag over her shoulder. “Michael Kane -- CO of the USS PHOENIX. I’m just guessing here but I can’t imagine I’m too far off in thinking he’s said something about slinging me just one step short of the airlock. I’m hoping I can negotiate for something comfier,” she winked at them. Waving at them as she walked towards the door she said, “I think I can figure this out, I’ve been here before. Only caused minimal amount of trouble. Although at some time I’d like to speak to him but he’s not going to want me to sully his bridge which is fine.”

Xana started to walk out, with Cantor Von and Lynette Ryan quickly following her.

“Ma’am--”

“Secretary Bonviva--”

That caused Xana to stop short. Turning around she said, “Mi scuzi,” she said. “I am not a ‘ma’am’ and while I loved the job, it’s been sometime since I’ve been Secretary Bonviva. I’m just a politician now, which means I’m a civilian. Now I know that as a politician you can’t trust a word I say but my mother named me Xana. So please use my name, otherwise she’s been doing all that bellowing of “Xana” for nearly 40 years for nothing,” the azure woman grinned.

Looking at Lynette Ryan she asked, “You look familiar. Didn’t you win a t-shirt from me?”

Before Lynette could answer a short red-headed woman came round the bend. “Yu has been detained and we gotta flag about someone comin’ on board with weapons. Shoulda figured that be you,” Kass said.

Xana Bonviva smiled at the Marine; she had a deep affection for Kass who she recalled that both Gene McInnis and Jake held in high regard, as did she. “It’s a dangerous universe.”

“Yea, but my ship ain’t dangerous,” Kass replied quickly.

Folding her arms as she thoroughly enjoyed this, the Bolian/Human grinned. “I’ve played poker with you, so I’m inclined to disagree.”

Kass’ mouth twitched as if she couldn’t decide to agree or disagree. Finally she rounded her way back to why she came. “Peace tie the weapons.”

The azure woman sighed as she fished out a phaser out of her waist. Holding out a hand she grabbed some rope from the Marine and peace-tied the weapon. “Satisfied?” she asked.

Kass gave her a glare. “I will be when you’re done with *all* your weapons.” When Xana gave an innocent look, Kass snorted. “Think I was born yesterday? Don’t worry I brought plenty of rope.”

=/\=

Scene: Arboretum

TI: Concurrent with above

Iphie walked into the Arboretum, took five steps in, closed her gray eyes, and inhaled deeply. “Oh this is it.”

Walking on the path that was meant for all to use, she inspected the plants, flowers, and trees. Using a critical eye, she knelt down on the edge of the path and inspected the flowers that were just blooming. Rushing forward, she looked at the strong plant that was sprouting out of the ground with wide palm fronds. Out of the fronds were wide orange-red fruit that were beginning to hang low.

Inhaling low, Iphie moved off the path towards the fruit, carefully testing it with her hands. Judging it to be good she twisted it and began to grab several more; unaware to the silent alarm that went off.

Several minutes later Lt. Jasmine Yu and Ensign Schad walked into the Arboretum walked in. Arak slowly surveyed the plants and paths trying to see if the alarm was intentionally set off or by some mere circumstance. Slowly raising his arm he nodded his head in the direction down the path setting the pair off on the search. It had become some what frequent with the alarms in the arboretum, normally school children playing, as of late but there was always a logical explanation and reasoning for those that set it off to be in the area they were found in.

This alarm was different and the fact that it was signaled cave him cause for worry and caution. As the two came to the end of the path, at least for their journey, Arak looked past the flower bed before him noticing a familiar figure collecting the plants yield. Coughing to alert the woman of his and Lt. Yu’s presence, Arak stepped closer, “Pardon me, but for your safety will you please deposit the bounty that you have just collected back with the genetic originator?”

“But I need fresh fruit for cooking. Otherwise we’re stuck with replicated food. And our ever so unhelpful Chief Engineer has assured me I’m not a priority in getting real good replicated food. So you all can forget about getting good food, let alone the good brownies I was gonna make,” Iphie announced. Holding up a fruit she said, “So I’m going old school here. Hope you appreciate it!”

Arak’s eye widened as she moved the fruit to her lips only hesitating as he quickly held his hand up, “Please, don’t bite into that! I would rather not have to explain to the Captain how we would require someone new to run the Ten Forward section of the ship.”

“What’s a Ten Forward?” Iphie asked.

Yu replied. “The bar and grill?”

“The Vulgar Tribble,” Iphie grinned. “And who are you? Are you going to arrest me? Do I need bail again? You look like the arresting type, I should know.”

Shaking his head Arak sighed, “ No, but allow me to properly introduce you to jucundum mortem captionem from the Aaamazzarite homeworld. Roughly translated Delightful Death Trap, it would be closely related to the Venus fly trap from Earth; however, instead of closing on its prey before dissolving it within its grasp, it allows its fruit to liquify the inside of the animal providing nourishment for the seeds stored within to grow thus spreading the species. In simple terms, you eat that you’re insides go from squishy to goo.”

“Are those technical terms?” Iphie asked sarcastically, jutting a hip out, placing a hand on it. “How was I supposed to know that I shouldn’t take a fruit?”

“There are signs clearly posted,” Lt. Yu stated pointing to the metallic placards positioned around the plant before the small fence line placed to help deter interested animals or individuals.

“Signs are for other people, not for people you know trying to keep you happy and alive,” Iphie replied.

Nodding Arak smiled, “If you will just leave the fruit there they will die within a few moments. Once separated from the parent plant the fruit can not survive unless ingested, without that environment the fruit liquefies itself attempting to stay viable.”

=/\=

Scene: Deck 12 - Conference Room

Eve was back at work. On a starship; not Victorian London. Or in a fantasy land. And there were people here; not penguins. Except now she was briefing her colleagues on the fantastical programs that would not end. And it was not going well.

“And everyone who was on the holodecks experienced this,” Lysander asked.

Dr. Andersson nodded her head. “It’s true,” she agreed. When her colleagues’ collective eyes looked at her, she could hear the Executive Officer’s words in brain with his impassive voice ringing through… **Magic**.

“While we had to use improvisational methods to conclude the program...the point I believe that Lt. Daziel was making that while the hologram program successfully concluded there maybe after effects we need to consider as Medical professionals,” Sofia explained as she leaned in.

Aerdan Jos looked up at the ceiling. He had been trying to not say “I told you so” but it was killing him inside. “I hate holodecks,” he muttered. Sighing he shifted in his chair he faced the others. “So what are we thinking? A version of transporter psychosis? Holodeck psychosis, if you will.”

Lysander nodded at that as he sighed. “If we’re talking about something that significant then we need to be prepared. We’re talking paranoid delusions, dementia, hysteria. This is high level psychosis.”

Aerdan leaned in. “But remember there’s also the physical; and with both the psychological and physical early intervention is key. With psychosis of any kind we’re talking about increased stress. That leads to rapid heartbeat, blood press, and all of that puts pressure up on the circulatory and nervous systems. From there any prolonged exposure is going to cause damage.”

Eve leaned in. “But surely we can reverse any physical damage.”

“Can we? Yes most of the time. But the imprint will be there,” Sofia pointed out.

“Like the psyche, I understand,” Eve sighed. Looking over at Owen Arion who was crawling around on the floor she asked gently, “Owen, are we disturbing you?”

“I followed everything you all said. People may be suffering from psychosis. Leads to delusions, pressures upon the body,” the Counselor said as he crawled upon the floor as he searched under the table and various chairs. Aware he was the receipient of several stares he stopped his search and looked up. “I’m not suffering from psychosis, I assure you.”

“They all say that,” Aerdan whispered to Sofia.

Owen glared at that. “It occurred to me during our conversation that Captain Smooshy would be beneficial in his capacity as a therapy dog. And I know he came in here with us but now...he’s gone.”

=/\=

Scene: Corridor

The little pitter-patter of feet interrupted the quad who was finding the place that was “one step comfier than an airlock” while Kass and Xana were discussing starting up a poker game.

Whirling around, Xana saw a familiar caramel colored dog with a charcoal face, dressed in the appropriate pug-sized uniform. Smiling broadly she said, “Smooshy!” Kneeling down, she dropped her bag and opened up her arms as the pug trotted over. “Oh Smooshy how I’ve missed you. And you’ve been promoted to Captain!”

Eve Daziel walked down the corridor with Aerdan Jos and saw the group who was now stopped short due to Xana greeting the therapy dog. After the joint Counseling/Medical meeting the group split up to find Captain Smooshy. Although it should have been easy to find the pug (he did have a commbadge for tracking purposes) he was surprising agile for a slightly overweight canine.

As the pug yipped for attention while dancing around the Bolian/Human woman smiled as she petted him. “I’m so sorry, Captain Smooshy but Angus has crossed over the Rainbow Bridge,” she said quietly as if she understood the pug’s yips and snorts.

“Xana?” Aerdan asked as if he was trying to put together why his old friend was here.

The politician looked up looking like anything but the polished woman she normally strived to be on FedComm or FNN. Laughing as Captain Smooshy danced and nudged her for attention she said, “Aerdan! I’m so happy to see you.” As the pug flung himself on her she apologetically said, “I’d get up but I seem to be a dog bed.” Looking over at the Counselor she smiled, “Hello Eve, it’s lovely to see you.”

“Hello,” Eve said as a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. “Apologies but we didn’t know you were coming.”

“Yes, well I needed a ride to BOLARUS IX. I didn’t know it would be the PHOENIX who would be taking me,” Xana explained. As Captain Smooshy yipped and wriggled she said, “But my children are going to be so sorry they missed you.” When the pug licked her nose repeatedly she tossed back her head and laughed merrily. “Oh you have the sweetest kisses and…”

Suddenly her heartbeat sped up involuntarily and the air became thicker. Looking up from her position on the floor she saw a tall man with the clearest blue eyes that had always entranced her. Swallowing the lump in her throat Xana sighed, and involuntarily played with the wedding rings she still wore on her left hand as she said to her estranged husband, otherwise known as the Executive Officer of the USS PHOENIX, “Hello Jake.”

=/\=

Scene: Turbolift -> Bridge

After the turbulent events of the holodeck, Lt Stavik found his thoughts disturbed. He continually found himself thinking about the ancient Vulcan techniques, or wh’ltri, taught to Vulcans at a young age. Of course some off-landers thought it was to make Vulcans emotionless; but Stavik knew it was really to control his emotions, something he was in desperate need now.

Stavik closed his dark brown eyes as he mentally focused on a the mental image of a meditation lamp; allowing the whooshing sounds of the turbolift to wash over him. It calmed him and settled him as he realized that he was no longer on the Holodeck but now on the Bridge.

Walking out he bypassed his fellow officers to his position in the front of the Bridge. After performing his checks, and finding everything in order he looked over his shoulder to see Captain Kane sitting in his seat. He would have thought that the CO would be anticipating a new mission but instead the Captain was grating his teeth so hard that everyone could hear it.

“BOLARUS IX,” Captain Kane said with a nod.

Stavik nodded as he turned around and began tapping in the coordinates. “Warp…?”

“As fast as we can safely maintain,” Kane glowered.

=/\=

NRPG: Yes, you have Xana with you for a short while (until Kane and Jake kick her off ;-) on Bolarus IX). More fun to torment...ahem...I mean interact with all of you.

Hopefully I did justice to all your characters. Yes there will be a brief stop on Bolarus and then onto the mission!

Thank you Jerome for letting Xana come on and cause a ruckus and contributing the first scene!

Thank you Justin for your help with the middle!

*Tag* to everyone!

=/\=

Jerome McKee

the Soul of Captain Michael Turlogh Kane

Commanding Officer

USS PHOENIX


"He speaks an infinite deal of nothing!"

- Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice", Act 1, Scene 1.117

And

Justin K. Owens

Ensign Arak Schad

Assistant Chief Science Officer

USS PHOENIX

And

Sarah Albertini-Bond

~writing for~

Xana Bonviva