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--- trek:solstice:recap:37_act_9 [2020/08/06 14:56] – created verbena76
+++ trek:solstice:recap:37_act_9 [2021/01/07 15:18] (current) – [The Tell-Tale Knife] verbena76
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 ~~
 ====== Episode 37: Kordikar - Act 9 ======
-//Game was 7/23/20. I used the mike for the first time, and it helped a lot.//
+//Game was 7/23/20. I used the mic for the first time, and it helped a lot.//
 ===== Stardate 49375.40, Wednesday May 17th 2372, 0930 hours =====
-==== Ssleestak Fails at Keeping Precious Secrets. ====
+==== Ssleestak Fails at Keeping Precious Secrets ====
-Ssleestak brings Technician Kivo to the observation lounge on deck five, assuming this is the nexus she's talking about.  Kivo looks around and mutters, “You keep your nexus in a lounge?” Ssleestak shrugs and removes the bulkhead to allow her access to the conduit. Kivo obligingly sticks are headed to look, and then she cries, “What the hell?” She scrambles out of the conduit and demands, “I meant your engineering nexus!” Ssleestak replies, “Ah, you mean man engineering. Follow me.” He escorts her to main engineering on deck seven and brings her to a side panel showing the ship’s master systems display. She examines the MSD carefully and then reaches out to tap it. Ssleestak watches the display stutter for a second before returning to normal. The technician does this a few more times, before accessing the core systems and translating the MSD into Dai’Loq standard.
+[[trek:characters:ssleestak|Ssleestak]] brings Technician [[trek:characters:kivo|Kivo]] to the observation lounge on deck five, assuming this is the nexus she's talking about.  Kivo looks around and mutters, "You keep your nexus in a lounge?" Ssleestak shrugs and removes the bulkhead to allow her access to the conduit. Kivo obligingly sticks are headed to look, and then she cries, "What the hell?" She scrambles out of the conduit and demands, "I meant your engineering nexus!" Ssleestak replies, "Ah, you mean main engineering. Follow me." He escorts her to main engineering on deck seven and brings her to a side panel showing the ship's master systems display. She examines the MSD carefully and then reaches out to tap it. Ssleestak watches the display stutter for a second before returning to normal. The technician does this a few more times, before accessing the core systems and translating the MSD into Dai'Loq standard.
-Curiosity inflamed, Ssleestak studies the swirling green text of the Dai’Loq master system. Most of it doesn't make any sense to him, so he asks, “Sola, can you provide a translation?” Sola complies and translates the data on the neighboring station. Ssleestak sees four nodes with lines of code forming a web in between. Data flows in and out and shifts constantly, but he starts to begin to make sense of it all. Kivo asks him, “What did you do to your ship?” Ssleestak explains, “We're getting it ready for an emergency tow at warp speed.” Kivo says slowly,” I understand granting me access brings security risks, but you will also gain insight into our technology.” She shifts forward as if to say more, but Ssleestak nods with understanding and taps of command to grant her access.
+Curiosity inflamed, Ssleestak studies the swirling green text of the Dai'Loq master system. Most of it doesn't make any sense to him, so he asks, "[[trek:characters:Sola|Sola]], can you provide a translation?" Sola complies and translates the data on the neighboring station. Ssleestak sees four nodes with lines of code forming a web in between. Data flows in and out and shifts constantly, but he starts to begin to make sense of it all. Kivo asks him, "What did you do to your ship?" Ssleestak explains, "We're getting it ready for an emergency tow at warp speed." Kivo says slowly, "I understand granting me access brings security risks, but you will also gain insight into our technology." She shifts forward as if to say more, but Ssleestak nods with understanding and taps of command to grant her access.
-==== Ssleestak Reveals More Precious Secrets. ====
+==== Ssleestak Reveals More Precious Secrets ====
-Startled, Kivo nods her thanks awkwardly and then starts examining the new data. Once again, she utters, “What the hell?” She studies the numbers for a few more seconds before asking Ssleestak, “What is an exocomp?” Ssleestak dimly recalls the maintenance machines that became sentient a few years ago as Kivo explains, “The nanites on this ship have altered their programming to adjust to your technology. When they started to repair the ship, they accessed your library and found records on these exocomps. They then designed the nodule to function in a similar fashion. I see a few of the problems here. The first one is that these nodules are operating on an Onyx-12 operating system. The thing here is, we are using Onyx-10. These nanites are using some sort of future version of our operating system. I also have to ask, is there an artificial intelligence on board of this ship?”
+Startled, Kivo nods her thanks awkwardly and then starts examining the new data. Once again, she utters, "What the hell?" She studies the numbers for a few more seconds before asking Ssleestak, "What is an exocomp?" Ssleestak dimly recalls the maintenance machines that became sentient a few years ago as Kivo explains, "The nanites on this ship have altered their programming to adjust to your technology. When they started to repair the ship, they accessed your library and found records on these exocomps. They then designed the nodule to function in a similar fashion. I see a few of the problems here. The first one is that these nodules are operating on an Onyx-12 operating system. The thing here is, we are using Onyx-10. These nanites are using some sort of future version of our operating system. I also have to ask, is there an artificial intelligence on board of this ship?"
-Ssleestak reluctantly grumbles, “Yes.” Kivo looks directly at him and asks, “From the future?” Ssleestak hisses, “Yes.” Kivo nods to herself as she simply accepts this bizarre reality and says, “The nanites have undergone an accelerated evolution. They came on board this ship with technology from the future, and it would appear that during the fight with the Krenim, their temporal weapons triggered another evolution. You have two choices at this point. The nanites created the nodules to fix a specific problem in your power grid. You can either reallocate your resources to fix that problem, or simply grant them further access so they can tackle the problem.”
+Ssleestak reluctantly grumbles, "Yes." Kivo looks directly at him and asks, "From the future?" Ssleestak hisses, "Yes." Kivo nods to herself as she simply accepts this bizarre reality and says, "The nanites have undergone an accelerated evolution. They came on board this ship with technology from the future, and it would appear that during the fight with the Krenim, their temporal weapons triggered another evolution. You have two choices at this point. The nanites created the nodules to fix a specific problem in your power grid. You can either reallocate your resources to fix that problem, or simply grant them further access so they can tackle the problem."
-Ssleestak decides on the first option and starts reallocating all the personnel he can. Kivo continues to examine the master systems display and grumbles, “Who designed this EPS grid?” Ssleestak admits, “The original EPS grid was redesigned to accommodate the new warp engines. Our predecessors had to get creative. A total overhaul would take three months.” Kivo clearly favors overhaul but assures Ssleestak, “Once the problem is fixed the nodules should dissolve.” She starts playing with the programming for the nodules and then asks incredulously, “They reported that one of your crewmen got his head stuck in a conduit?” Ssleestak remains impassive and replies, “Weird!”
+Ssleestak decides on the first option and starts reallocating all the personnel he can. Kivo continues to examine the master systems display and grumbles, "Who designed this EPS grid?" Ssleestak admits, "The original EPS grid was redesigned to accommodate the new warp engines. Our predecessors had to get creative. A total overhaul would take three months." Kivo clearly favors overhaul but assures Ssleestak, "Once the problem is fixed the nodules should dissolve." She starts playing with the programming for the nodules and then asks incredulously, "They reported that one of your crewmen got his head stuck in a conduit?" Ssleestak remains impassive and replies, "Weird!"
-==== Examining the Gift. ====
+==== Examining the Gift ====
-Back on the main bridge, Mel studies the man in the stasis box and announces, “I don't know him. I have no idea who this man is. I'm not sure if that's better or worse than someone from the NX-07.” Jen takes off her mask and accesses the data from the stasis pod; she reports, “This person was inserted into this machine about seven years ago.” She then calls up data that hovers holographically in midair, and the Starfleet crew sees multiple purple slashes. Jen explains, “These are rejection marks. There are hundreds of them.” She scrolls the data, and everyone sees only more and more purple slash marks.
+Back on the main bridge, [[trek:characters:mel|Mel]] studies the man in the stasis box and announces, "I don't know him. I have no idea who this man is. I'm not sure if that's better or worse than someone from the NX-07." [[trek:characters:jen|Jen]] takes off her mask and accesses the data from the stasis pod; she reports, "This person was inserted into this machine about seven years ago." She then calls up data that hovers holographically in midair, and the Starfleet crew sees multiple purple slashes. Jen explains, "These are rejection marks. There are hundreds of them." She scrolls the data, and everyone sees only more and more purple slash marks.
-Jen declares, “As far as I can tell, he's never been touched after being inserted. At least not that way.” She sighs and then snaps to the stasis box, “I am not going to mate with him!” She continues to examine the data and then reveals, “He was definitely taken in 2365, about a few light years from Starbucks 212. Most of these marks are simple general rejection notes. Only one left a more detailed review and she said, ‘I did not want him inside me for any reason.’” Mel orders, “Take him to sickbay, and we’ll deal with him there.”
+Jen declares, "As far as I can tell, he's never been touched after being inserted. At least not that way." She sighs and then snaps to the stasis box, "I am not going to mate with him!" She continues to examine the data and then reveals, "He was definitely taken in 2365, about a few light years from Starbase 212. Most of these marks are simple general rejection notes. Only one left a more detailed review and she said, 'I did not want him inside me for any reason.'" Mel orders, "Take him to sickbay, and we'll deal with him there."
 ==== Space Herpes! ====
-Fal interjects, “Internal scans show more Dai’Loq technology activating, captain! It looks like they're being boosted from the initial location.” He then calls out, “Captain! Several nodules are heading directly to the bridge! They'll be here in thirty seconds.” Mel taps her combadge and says, “Captain to Ssleestak.” Ssleestak replies and Mel quickly fills him in. Ssleestak explains, //“They are OK now.”// He quickly types up a note for the captain and sends it to Mel, explaining the full situation. On the bridge however, everyone watches as three nodules suddenly leap out of the operations panel and soar over their heads to land on flight control!
+[[trek:characters:fal|Fal]] interjects, "Internal scans show more Dai'Loq technology activating, captain! It looks like they're being boosted from the initial location." He then calls out, "Captain! Several nodules are heading directly to the bridge! They'll be here in thirty seconds." Mel taps her combadge and says, "Captain to Ssleestak." Ssleestak replies and Mel quickly fills him in. Ssleestak explains, //"They are OK now."// He quickly types up a note for the captain and sends it to Mel, explaining the full situation. On the bridge however, everyone watches as three nodules suddenly leap out of the operations panel and soar over their heads to land on flight control!
-Phillips scrambles back and won't go anywhere near flight control. He declares, “I want those things removed! We have space herpes on this ship!” K’tral eyes the chaos and realizes that she has no idea what to do here. She considers returning to her rest period but realizes the ship is in far too much trouble for her not to feel obligated, so she heads to main engineering to help wherever she can. Saval reports, “If everything goes according to our current plan, captain, we have forty-five minutes to departure.” Ssleestak reaches out to Fal for his assistance and asks him to come down to main engineering. Mel grants permission.
+[[trek:characters:phillip|Phillip]] scrambles back and won't go anywhere near flight control. He declares, "I want those things removed! We have space herpes on this ship!" [[trek:characters:ktral|K'tral]] eyes the chaos and realizes that she has no idea what to do here. She considers returning to her rest period but realizes the ship is in far too much trouble for her not to feel obligated, so she heads to main engineering to help wherever she can. [[trek:characters:saval|Saval]] reports, "If everything goes according to our current plan, captain, we have forty-five minutes to departure." Ssleestak reaches out to Fal for his assistance and asks him to come down to main engineering. Mel grants permission.
-==== The One Soul the Devil Would Climb Out of Hell to Collect Personally. ====
+==== The One Soul the Devil Would Climb Out of Hell to Collect Personally ====
-Saval turns to Mel and gestures to the stasis box. She says, “There is another option. We could just leave him here in the box.” Mel rears back in surprise and demands, “Do you know him?”  Saval replies, “I do. This is Andrew Deelor, an agent of Starfleet Intelligence. I submit to you, captain, that he is far more useful in stasis that he is out. For instance, to paraphrase a quote from one of Ensign Kras’s favorite movies, this is the one soul the Devil would climb out of Hell to claim. Or more accurately, the Badlands.”
+Saval turns to Mel and gestures to the stasis box. She says, "There is another option. We could just leave him here in the box." Mel rears back in surprise and demands, "Do you know him?"  Saval replies, "I do. This is [[trek:characters:deelor|Andrew Deelor]], an agent of Starfleet Intelligence. I submit to you, captain, that he is far more useful in stasis that he is out. For instance, to paraphrase a quote from one of Ensign Kras's favorite movies, this is the one soul the Devil would climb out of Hell to claim. Or more accurately, the Badlands."
-Mel looks at her first officer strangely, and Saval explains, “I'm talking about Bjornson. This is the perfect bait for a Bjornson trap. On the other hand, if history turns out the way all projections we've seen so far imply, he will also make an excellent dowry in case in Ensign Kras does in fact end up in a relationship with him.” Jenn announces, “I am not OK with this!” Mel agrees, and Saval adds thoughtfully, “There is also a potential security risk if we open him.” Mel announces, “If he's SI, then this is Vaughn’s problem now. Do with him whatever you want, just get him off the bridge. And out of my sight.” Saval allows, “Elias Vaughn does need a footrest.”
+Mel looks at her first officer strangely, and Saval explains, "I'm talking about [[trek:characters:bjornson|Bjornson]]. This is the perfect bait for a Bjornson trap. On the other hand, if history turns out the way all projections we've seen so far imply, he will also make an excellent dowry in case in Ensign Kras does in fact end up in a relationship with him." Jen announces, "I am not OK with this!" Mel agrees, and Saval adds thoughtfully, "There is also a potential security risk if we open him." Mel announces, "If he's SI, then this is [[trek:characters:vaughn|Vaughn]]'s problem now. Do with him whatever you want, just get him off the bridge. And out of my sight." Saval allows, "Elias Vaughn does need a footrest."
-Mel says sarcastically, “Are you going to put him on top of the hull like a hood ornament?” Saval considers the option and then taps her combadge. She hails Ssleestak and asks, “Would it be possible to install a hood ornament on the hull of the ship?” Ssleestak, who has no clue what’s going on, replies, //“Yes? You could also stick something on the back of the ship!”// Saval brightens and replies, “Excellent idea, Lieutenant. Thank you very much.”
+Mel says sarcastically, "Are you going to put him on top of the hull like a hood ornament?" Saval considers the option and then taps her combadge. She hails Ssleestak and asks, "Would it be possible to install a hood ornament on the hull of the ship?" Ssleestak, who has no clue what's going on, replies, //"Yes? You could also stick something on the back of the ship!"// Saval brightens and replies, "Excellent idea, Lieutenant. Thank you very much."
-Mel immediately moots the idea of a hood ornament or a streamer, and tell Saval, “Just get him off the bridge.” Saval calmly picks up the stasis tube one-handed and then exits the bridge with it. A second later, the nodules beep happily as they finish their repairs, and flight control comes back online. Then the nodules make sad beeps when they realize that there are no warp nacelles. They eject themselves from flight control to sail over everyone's head once again, and this time land at the tactical station. Phillip reluctantly returns to flight control.
+Mel immediately moots the idea of a hood ornament or a streamer, and tell Saval, "Just get him off the bridge." Saval calmly picks up the stasis tube one-handed and then exits the bridge with it. A second later, the nodules beep happily as they finish their repairs, and flight control comes back online. Then the nodules make sad beeps when they realize that there are no warp nacelles. They eject themselves from flight control to sail over everyone's head once again, and this time land at the tactical station. Phillip reluctantly returns to flight control.
-==== Giving the Ship an Exorcism. ====
+==== Giving the Ship an Exorcism ====
-Fal heads down to main engineering and enters. He spots the technician and her two bodyguards and asks, “Can I help you?” The technician looks over and replies sarcastically, “Your pants are on, so no. Wait, I know you. Karzanna’s boy. Tell me, is it actually ridged?” Fal sputters, “That is not appropriate for a professional discussion!” as he blushes a deep crimson. Kivo snorts and curtly introduces herself. She states, “So part of the problem here is we're dealing with future software and their directives. What can you tell me about this? About how you got this AI?” Fal stammers, “There are rules about revealing future events. We call it the Temporal Prime Directive.” Kivo eyes him scornfully and retorts, “That sounds incredibly pretentious.” Fal concedes, “You do have a point. Welcome to the Federation.”
+Fal heads down to main engineering and enters. He spots the technician and her two bodyguards and asks, "Can I help you?" The technician looks over and replies sarcastically, "Your pants are on, so no. Wait, I know you. [[trek:characters:karzanna|Karzanna]]'s boy. Tell me, is it actually ridged?" Fal sputters, "That is not appropriate for a professional discussion!" as he blushes a deep crimson. Kivo snorts and curtly introduces herself. She states, "So part of the problem here is we're dealing with future software and their directives. What can you tell me about this? About how you got this AI?" Fal stammers, "There are rules about revealing future events. We call it the Temporal Prime Directive." Kivo eyes him scornfully and retorts, "That sounds incredibly pretentious." Fal concedes, "You do have a point. Welcome to the Federation."
-Kivo says, “You seem to know your way around our technology. The nanites are resisting any attempts at reprogramming. Are you familiar with the four tenants of our faith? Aggression, piety, family, and duty. Our programming language works in much the same way, on an axis between the four tenants. Normally repair nanites such as these fall heavily towards the duty tenant. However, these nanites have mutated and their programming now stretches much closer to the family tenant. Fal muses, “Jen's their mom.” Kivo shrugs and replies, “They do refer to someone called the prime. I assumed that was the //Vak’tal//. But I do need your help to prevent them from blowing themselves up.”
+Kivo says, "You seem to know your way around our technology. The nanites are resisting any attempts at reprogramming. Are you familiar with the four tenants of our faith? Aggression, piety, family, and duty. Our programming language works in much the same way, on an axis between the four tenants. Normally repair nanites such as these fall heavily towards the duty tenant. However, these nanites have mutated and their programming now stretches much closer to the family tenant. Fal muses, "Jen's their mom." Kivo shrugs and replies, "They do refer to someone called the prime. I assumed that was the //Vak'tal//. But I do need your help to prevent them from blowing themselves up."
-Fal suggests, “Perhaps we can install a logic pattern that ties family to duty?” Kivo cocks her head and insists, “Keep talking.” Ssleestak overhears and calls out, “Are you going to install guilt?” Fal shrugs and replies, “If it works.” He and Kivo work together to install some of these logic pathways and then Kivo frowns and asks, “The nanites are asking if shooting Cardassians is OK?” Fal twitches before reluctantly replying, “You should always seek permission before shooting.” Kivo eyes him and says, “It views Cardassians as a threat and wants to automatically stun them whenever they board this ship.” Fal grinds his teeth, as he desperately agrees with the nanites, but insists, “Permission first. Shoot later.”
+Fal suggests, "Perhaps we can install a logic pattern that ties family to duty?" Kivo cocks her head and insists, "Keep talking." Ssleestak overhears and calls out, "Are you going to install guilt?" Fal shrugs and replies, "If it works." He and Kivo work together to install some of these logic pathways and then Kivo frowns and asks, "The nanites are asking if shooting Cardassians is OK?" Fal twitches before reluctantly replying, "You should always seek permission before shooting." Kivo eyes him and says, "It views Cardassians as a threat and wants to automatically stun them whenever they board this ship." Fal grinds his teeth, as he desperately agrees with the nanites, but insists, "Permission first. Shoot later."
-Kivo shrugs and inserts the commands as requested. She then does a deep dive into the programming of the Solstice, and comes across several modifications – specifically, Jace Fortis’s modifications. She suddenly cries out, “Why do you have energy weapons in your showers?” Fal replies blankly, “You don't?”. Kivo continues to fiddle and then states, “This person’s upgrades are buried in the command codes of this ship. They’re insidious. Should we remove these modifications? Some of these seem outright insane.”
+Kivo shrugs and inserts the commands as requested. She then does a deep dive into the programming of the //Solstice//, and comes across several modifications – specifically, [[trek:characters:jace|Jace Fortis]]'s modifications. She suddenly cries out, "Why do you have energy weapons in your showers?" Fal replies blankly, "You don't?" Kivo continues to fiddle and then states, "This person's upgrades are buried in the command codes of this ship. They're insidious. Should we remove these modifications? Some of these seem outright insane."
-Fal concedes, “My predecessor was a bit unorthodox, but there's usually a logical pathway to his decision making. We're going to have to take his modifications on a case by case basis.” Kivo replies, “We're going to have to temporarily deactivate his modifications to repair and correct the problem. It appears that all these modifications are a significant drain on your power, which is causing some of your issues with your EPS grid.” Ssleestak lumbers over and grants permission, so Kivo enters a few command codes. Jace’s modifications go offline, and the EPS grid’s stability rating jumps by ten percent immediately! Kivo says sarcastically, “Your ship just had an exorcism.” Ssleestak retorts, “Hallelujah.”
+Fal concedes, "My predecessor was a bit unorthodox, but there's usually a logical pathway to his decision making. We're going to have to take his modifications on a case by case basis." Kivo replies, "We're going to have to temporarily deactivate his modifications to repair and correct the problem. It appears that all these modifications are a significant drain on your power, which is causing some of your issues with your EPS grid." Ssleestak lumbers over and grants permission, so Kivo enters a few command codes. Jace's modifications go offline, and the EPS grid's stability rating jumps by ten percent immediately! Kivo says sarcastically, "Your ship just had an exorcism." Ssleestak retorts, "Hallelujah."
-==== Sola Gains (Limited) Power. ====
+==== Sola Gains (Limited) Power ====
-Ssleestak hails the bridge and fills Mel in on the current situation, Including deactivating Jace’s modifications. Phillip wonders about the Mirror Universe Dai’Loq while Kivo Insists, //“With the correction to your power grid, most of the nodules have dissolved. However, it appears the system is keeping six nodules on standby at all times for emergency repair work.”// Ssleestak tells Mel, //“I find I'm OK with that.”// Mel reluctantly agrees, but Phillip asks, “If we lose Jen, what happens?”
+Ssleestak hails the bridge and fills Mel in on the current situation, including deactivating Jace's modifications. Phillip wonders about the Mirror Universe Dai'Loq while Kivo insists, //"With the correction to your power grid, most of the nodules have dissolved. However, it appears the system is keeping six nodules on standby at all times for emergency repair work."// Ssleestak tells Mel, //"I find I'm OK with that."// Mel reluctantly agrees, but Phillip asks, "If we lose Jen, what happens?"
-Kivo asks, //“Who?”// and Fal explains, “The //Vak’tal//.” Kivo replies, //“Oh, good point. The technology should just shut down then, although this would rob you of many of the advantages your ship enjoys, such as your faster warp engines.”// Phillip says slowly, “She's been injured several times, usually while helping you.” Kivo concedes the point, and then inspiration strikes. She says, //“Wait, there's an easier solution here. I'll just tie them to the AI. They’re are already connected to your operating system, and both utilize future technology.”//
+Kivo asks, //"Who?"// and Fal explains, "The //Vak'tal//." Kivo replies, //"Oh, good point. The technology should just shut down then, although this would rob you of many of the advantages your ship enjoys, such as your faster warp engines."// Phillip says slowly, "She's been injured several times, usually while helping you." Kivo concedes the point, and then inspiration strikes. She says, //"Wait, there's an easier solution here. I'll just tie them to the AI. They're are already connected to your operating system, and both utilize future technology."//
-Kivo taps several controls and successfully transfers oversight of the nanites to Sola. The AI giggles over the speakers, and declares, //“I now have evil schemes to concoct!”// Ssleestak snorts, but Kivo asks to speak to Mel privately. Mel agrees and orders Ssleestak to escort her to the ready room. Ssleestak brings Kivo up to deck one and her bodyguards follow along. They reach the ready room and Kivo instructs her two bodyguards to remain outside. Ssleestak lingers as well, while Kivo enters the ready room.
+Kivo taps several controls and successfully transfers oversight of the nanites to Sola. The AI giggles over the speakers, and declares, //"I now have evil schemes to concoct!"// Ssleestak snorts, but Kivo asks to speak to Mel privately. Mel agrees and orders Ssleestak to escort her to the ready room. Ssleestak brings Kivo up to deck one and her bodyguards follow along. They reach the ready room and Kivo instructs her two bodyguards to remain outside. Ssleestak lingers as well, while Kivo enters the ready room.
-Mel looks up from behind her desk, but rather than sitting in the chair across from her, Kivo saunters forward and plops down on the table, right next to Mel. She looks down at Mel and says sweetly, “I have a question. You have encountered the Questoria, yes?” Mel nods, so Kivo explains, “I've inserted a few lines of code into your nanites. This will allow your ship’s internal sensors to detect Questoria agents on board your ship.” Mel blinks in surprise but genuinely thanks Kivo for her efforts. She ventures, “I take it you've had problems with the Questoria in the past?” Kivo replies cryptically, “We are a diplomatic fleet.”((The ‘diplomatic fleets’ are sort of a dumping ground for ‘defective’ Dai’Loq – at least those not warranting disposal – but take their duties seriously. Unfortunately, the Questoria often meddles in their affairs and negates their accomplishments, so there is a lot of bad blood between the two branches.)) Mel looks at her questioningly, and Kivo adds, “They also incinerated my creche-sisters.” Sola emits an evil cackle from the speakers and cries, //“Most illuminating!”//
+Mel looks up from behind her desk, but rather than sitting in the chair across from her, Kivo saunters forward and plops down on the table, right next to Mel. She looks down at Mel and says sweetly, "I have a question. You have encountered the Questoria, yes?" Mel nods, so Kivo explains, "I've inserted a few lines of code into your nanites. This will allow your ship's internal sensors to detect Questoria agents on board your ship." Mel blinks in surprise but genuinely thanks Kivo for her efforts. She ventures, "I take it you've had problems with the Questoria in the past?" Kivo replies cryptically, "We are a diplomatic fleet."((The 'diplomatic fleets' are sort of a dumping ground for 'defective' Dai'Loq – at least those not warranting disposal – but take their duties seriously. Unfortunately, the Questoria often meddles in their affairs and negates their accomplishments, so there is a lot of bad blood between the two branches.)) Mel looks at her questioningly, and Kivo adds, "They also incinerated my creche-sisters." Sola emits an evil cackle from the speakers and cries, //"Most illuminating!"//
-==== Kivo Departs. ====
+==== Kivo Departs ====
-Kivo stands up and Mel thanks her once again for all her work. Kivo bows slightly to Mel and then exits the ready room. Ssleestak leads her and the bodyguards down to transporter room one for beam-out. They enter transporter room one, and Ssleestak sincerely thanks Kivo and says, “I enjoyed meeting you, and our cultural and technological exchange. It's been most helpful”. Kivo bows slightly and turns towards the transporter pad. She takes a few steps forward and then stops. While the two bodyguards wait on the transporter pad, Kivo turns back to Ssleestak and steps closer to him.
+Kivo stands up and Mel thanks her once again for all her work. Kivo bows slightly to Mel and then exits the ready room. Ssleestak leads her and the bodyguards down to transporter room one for beam-out. They enter transporter room one, and Ssleestak sincerely thanks Kivo and says, "I enjoyed meeting you, and our cultural and technological exchange. It's been most helpful." Kivo bows slightly and turns towards the transporter pad. She takes a few steps forward and then stops. While the two bodyguards wait on the transporter pad, Kivo turns back to Ssleestak and steps closer to him.
-She then reaches up to her mask, and Ssleestak hears the hard clicks of the mask disconnecting from the ports on her skin. She removes the mask to reveal the standard features of a Dai’Loq soldier: the ochre skin, the curly russet hair, and the solid green eyes. She reaches up with both hands and gently touches the sides of Ssleestak’s muzzle. She stares into his eyes for a moment before dropping her hands and stepping back. She bows to Ssleestak before turning putting on her mask again and stepping up to the transporter pad. Uncertain of the cultural realities at play,((A gesture of appreciation for the trust he placed in her.)) Ssleestak returns the bow as the Dai’Loq beam off the ship.
+She then reaches up to her mask, and Ssleestak hears the hard clicks of the mask disconnecting from the ports on her skin. She removes the mask to reveal the standard features of a Dai'Loq soldier: the ochre skin, the curly russet hair, and the solid green eyes. She reaches up with both hands and gently touches the sides of Ssleestak's muzzle. She stares into his eyes for a moment before dropping her hands and stepping back. She bows to Ssleestak before turning, putting on her mask again and stepping up to the transporter pad. Uncertain of the cultural realities at play,((A gesture of appreciation for the trust he placed in her.)) Ssleestak returns the bow as the Dai'Loq beam off the ship.
-==== Zug Chooses His Ambassadorial Outfit. ====
+==== Zug Chooses His Ambassadorial Outfit ====
-Meanwhile, in the empty observation lounge on deck one, Jessa explains the concept of underwear to Zug. Zug doesn't seem to get any of it, forcing Jessa to keep explaining it over and over. Finally, Captain Galan’noor leans into Jessa and says, “Zug understands underwear, he's just messing with you.” Jessa glares at Zug, who smiles widely. Jessa grumbles, “OK, how about shoes?” Zug brightens and exclaims “Shoes!” Taking the cue, Jessa starts a small dissertation on shoes, socks, boots, sandals, and all other sorts of footwear within the Federation. Zug is clearly fascinated by all this, and Jessa realizes he's not messing around this time. She tells him, “If you're not used to wearing footwear, I recommend starting with sandals first.” She then digresses into the styles of various sandals that he can try.
+Meanwhile, in the empty observation lounge on deck one, [[trek:characters:jessa|Jessa]] explains the concept of underwear to Zug. Zug doesn't seem to get any of it, forcing Jessa to keep explaining it over and over. Finally, Captain [[trek:characters:galannaar]] leans into Jessa and says, "Zug understands underwear, he's just messing with you." Jessa glares at [[trek:characters:zug|Zug]], who smiles widely. Jessa grumbles, "OK, how about shoes?" Zug brightens and exclaims "Shoes!" Taking the cue, Jessa starts a small dissertation on shoes, socks, boots, sandals, and all other sorts of footwear within the Federation. Zug is clearly fascinated by all this, and Jessa realizes he's not messing around this time. She tells him, "If you're not used to wearing footwear, I recommend starting with sandals first." She then digresses into the styles of various sandals that he can try.
-Zug absorbs everything she says, and then demands, “Hats!” Jessa brightens, and then starts talking about hats. Zug listens intently and then heads to the replicator to get a hat. He replicates a pirate hat with a jaunty feather. Jessa eyes the ensemble and perversely wonders about ‘causal Ferengi’ fashion vs. ‘business Ferengi.’ She continues her discussion and branches out into other items of clothing, mostly accoutrements like cravats. She replicates items as he requests, so by the time the senior officers gather on the bridge just before 1130 hours, Zug sports combat boots, cargo pants, the eye-bleedingly bright purple shirt, a neon green cravat, and the pirate hat with a bright red feather. The Starfleet officers stare at his ensemble, but Ssleestak grumbles, “Under UV light it does all go together.”
+Zug absorbs everything she says, and then demands, "Hats!" Jessa brightens, and then starts talking about hats. Zug listens intently and then heads to the replicator to get a hat. He replicates a pirate hat with a jaunty feather. Jessa eyes the ensemble and perversely wonders about 'causal Ferengi' fashion vs. 'business Ferengi.' She continues her discussion and branches out into other items of clothing, mostly accoutrements like cravats. She replicates items as he requests, so by the time the senior officers gather on the bridge just before 1130 hours, Zug sports combat boots, cargo pants, the eye-bleedingly bright purple shirt, a neon green cravat, and the pirate hat with a bright red feather. The Starfleet officers stare at his ensemble, but Ssleestak grumbles, "Under UV light it does all go together."
-==== Departing Kordikar. ====
+==== Departing Kordikar ====
-The senior officers listen as messages of thanks are transmitted up from Kordikar below. Almost all the messages are from regular Tizit, young and old alike. Mel realizes that they're leaving the system as beloved heroes, but then they receive a message from the N’Dari enclave. They soon see their first N’Dari in the flesh, an aged female with orange skin and black stripes just starting to gray at the edges. She introduces herself as Matriarch M’Greer and only says, //“Thank you, we are in your debt.”// She then places her hands together, palms out and thumbs up, and then rests her muzzle between her thumbs. She then terminates the channel, leaving the Starfleet officers at a loss about the cultural significance of that gesture.((A gesture of deep appreciation, albeit tinged with wariness. Essentially: We acknowledge we owe you as lot, but don’t try to take advantage of it.))
+The senior officers listen as messages of thanks are transmitted up from Kordikar below. Almost all the messages are from regular Tizit, young and old alike. Mel realizes that they're leaving the system as beloved heroes, but then they receive a message from the N'Dari enclave. They soon see their first N'Dari in the flesh, an aged female with orange skin and black stripes just starting to gray at the edges. She introduces herself as Matriarch [[trek:characters:mgreer|M'Greer]] and only says, //"Thank you, we are in your debt."// She then places her hands together, palms out and thumbs up, and then rests her muzzle between her thumbs. She then terminates the channel, leaving the Starfleet officers at a loss about the cultural significance of that gesture.((A gesture of deep appreciation, albeit tinged with wariness. Essentially: We acknowledge we owe you a lot, but don't try to take advantage of it.))
-As final preparations for departure are underway, Mel composes a text message to Zivan. She writes, //"I do greatly appreciate your hospitality and I give you my personal assurances that Zug will be taken care of."// As the //Montgomery Scott// takes the //Solstice// in her tractor beam and the four Starfleet vessels break orbit, Mel transmits the message. It takes forty minutes to reach the edge of the system, and then the //Sacramento// and the //Boston// surge forward and use their navigational deflector dishes to emit the same charged tachyon particles the //Solstice// did earlier to smooth the gravitational eddies and make it easier for the //Solstice// to exit the system. Once they are clear, all four ships jump to warp one. Over the next several minutes they steadily increase their speed in gradual increments, to ensure the //Solstice// can handle it. Warning lights start to go off when they reach warp nine, but Ssleestak and his team are on top of it. By 1345 hours, the little flotilla reaches warp nine-point-two, and settles into that speed. It will take six days to reach Starbase 212.
+As final preparations for departure are underway, Mel composes a text message to [[trek:characters:zivan|Zivan]]. She writes, //"I do greatly appreciate your hospitality and I give you my personal assurances that Zug will be taken care of."// As the //Montgomery Scott// takes the //Solstice// in her tractor beam and the four Starfleet vessels break orbit, Mel transmits the message. It takes forty minutes to reach the edge of the system, and then the //Sacramento// and the //Boston// surge forward and use their navigational deflector dishes to emit the same charged tachyon particles the //Solstice// did earlier to smooth the gravitational eddies and make it easier for the //Solstice// to exit the system. Once they are clear, all four ships jump to warp one. Over the next several minutes they steadily increase their speed in gradual increments, to ensure the //Solstice// can handle it. Warning lights start to go off when they reach warp nine, but Ssleestak and his team are on top of it. By 1345 hours, the little flotilla reaches warp nine-point-two, and settles into that speed. It will take six days to reach Starbase 212.
-==== “Welcome Aboard, Ambassador.” ====
+==== "Welcome Aboard, Ambassador." ====
-As the six days pass, Mel checks in with the dozen Wabai, and finds them devouring every scrap of information the Solstice possesses about their predecessors, the Orions. They study Orion history, their culture, their government, and the stellar empire that they once ruled, and try to start matching up their own histories. They also access the information about the Sundered Ones and the Orion Syndicate. Mel begins the formal process of requesting asylum and leaves them with the question, what do they want? Mel also visits Zug several times and explains if he does wish to become an ambassador, he is going to need to do some studying. She recommends a few texts to start with and states, “When we return, you need to speak with the Federation Diplomatic Corps on the starbase. That is the best place for you to start.”
+As the six days pass, Mel checks in with the dozen Wabai, and finds them devouring every scrap of information the //Solstice// possesses about their predecessors, the Orions. They study Orion history, their culture, their government, and the stellar empire that they once ruled, and try to start matching up their own histories. They also access the information about the Sundered Ones and the Orion Syndicate. Mel begins the formal process of requesting asylum and leaves them with the question, what do they want? Mel also visits Zug several times and explains if he does wish to become an ambassador, he is going to need to do some studying. She recommends a few texts to start with and states, "When we return, you need to speak with the Federation Diplomatic Corps on the starbase. That is the best place for you to start."
-Other than that, she stays out of the way but remains accessible and around for anyone who needs her. On Sunday however, the Solstice receives a formal communique from the Tizit Consortium, declaring Zug to be the formal liaison between the Tizit Consortium and the United Federation of Planets (Primus). Mel immediately summons Zug up to her ready room and when he arrives, she lays it all out. At that point, she says, “Welcome aboard, ambassador.”
+Other than that, she stays out of the way but remains accessible and around for anyone who needs her. On Sunday however, the //Solstice// receives a formal communique from the Tizit Consortium, declaring Zug to be the formal liaison between the Tizit Consortium and the United Federation of Planets (Primus). Mel immediately summons Zug up to her ready room and when he arrives, she lays it all out. At that point, she says, "Welcome aboard, Ambassador."
-==== Sleeping on the Thunderbird. ====
+==== Sleeping on the Thunderbird ====
-Over the course of the six days, Ssleestak focuses on getting all of the repairs he can get done. His main priority is to establish communication protocols with the nanites, and his second priority is initiating salvage protocols to reuse and recycle anything he possibly can from the damaged sections of the //Solstice//. K’tral assists as best she can, and she is instrumental in several aspects. Thanks to her help, and that of the Bynars on the //USS Boston//, Ssleestak is able to open basic communications with the nanites, and arranges a series of communication protocols to alert them when repairs are needed, or for them to alert him when they are on their way to repair something. Ssleestak also prowls around the ship, bothered by the lack of noise from the warp core. He finally ends up sleeping in the main shuttlebay, on top of the warp core of the //Thunderbird//. In his spare time, he calls up the names of several famed nano-technicians and begins a proposal to invite them to help write a paper about the Dai’Loq nanites.
+Over the course of the six days, Ssleestak focuses on getting all of the repairs he can get done. His main priority is to establish communication protocols with the nanites, and his second priority is initiating salvage protocols to reuse and recycle anything he possibly can from the damaged sections of the //Solstice//. K'tral assists as best she can, and she is instrumental in several aspects. Thanks to her help, and that of the Bynars on the //USS Boston//, Ssleestak is able to open basic communications with the nanites, and arranges a series of communication protocols to alert them when repairs are needed, or for them to alert him when they are on their way to repair something. Ssleestak also prowls around the ship, bothered by the lack of noise from the warp core. He finally ends up sleeping in the main shuttlebay, on top of the warp core of the //Thunderbird//. In his spare time, he calls up the names of several famed nano-technicians and begins a proposal to invite them to help write a paper about the Dai'Loq nanites.
-==== Cackling Romulans And the Bye-Bye Box. ====
+==== Cackling Romulans And the Bye-Bye Box ====
-For his part over the six days, Fal gives his science department the little TLC. Much to his amusement however, he finds that his department is already hard at work. They are pouring over the data the Solstice collected on Kordikar and the gravitational eddies surrounding the system, while his ‘soft’ scientists are already hard at work deciphering the cultural aspects that they observed. He also learns that his department has adopted an unofficial rule: do not send Thal’tirian to talk to Zug.
+For his part over the six days, Fal gives his science department a little TLC. Much to his amusement however, he finds that his department is already hard at work. They are pouring over the data the //Solstice// collected on Kordikar and the gravitational eddies surrounding the system, while his 'soft' scientists are already hard at work deciphering the cultural aspects that they observed. He also learns that his department has adopted an unofficial rule: do not send [[trek:characters:thaltirian|Thal'tirian]] to talk to Zug.
-Fal hangs out with Zug in Two-Forward as much as he can and tracks down Alexandria. He finds the Romulan scientist giddy with all the data from the gravitational eddies, and she exclaims, “There's all sorts of temporal ramifications of this!” Fal warns her, “Be careful and watch out for DTI. You don't want to end up in the bye-bye box. Also, dial down the cackling a bit.” With his department thoroughly engaged, Fal finds time for his own scientific work, which is a rarity these days.
+Fal hangs out with Zug in Two-Forward as much as he can and tracks down [[trek:characters:alexandria|Alexandria]]. He finds the Romulan scientist giddy with all the data from the gravitational eddies, and she exclaims, "There's all sorts of temporal ramifications of this!" Fal warns her, "Be careful and watch out for DTI. You don't want to end up in the bye-bye box. Also, dial down the cackling a bit." With his department thoroughly engaged, Fal finds time for his own scientific work, which is a rarity these days.
-==== The Nodules Like Phillip. ====
+==== The Nodules Like Phillip ====
-Phillip simply spends his time with his partner Peel; he is aware that she is at her most vulnerable after a trip to sickbay. However, he does not neglect his duties as flight control officer even though the //Solstice// is being towed. He always has someone at flight control just in case, and has everyone else going over the shuttles, the Workbees, and every other extravehicular piece of technology, just so that they are ready. He remains easily accessible, but always busy whenever Jessa hunts him down. On Thursday, he finds that the nodules seem to have taken a liking to him, and now warn him whenever Jessa is approaching. He lets Ssleestak sleep in the //Thunderbird// as often as he wants and starts replicating small noise machines for any member of the crew who misses the sound of the warp core.
+Phillip simply spends his time with his partner [[trek:characters:peel|Peel]]; he is aware that she is at her most vulnerable after a trip to sickbay. However, he does not neglect his duties as flight control officer even though the //Solstice// is being towed. He always has someone at flight control just in case, and has everyone else going over the shuttles, the Workbees, and every other extravehicular piece of technology, just so that they are ready. He remains easily accessible, but always busy whenever Jessa hunts him down. On Thursday, he finds that the nodules seem to have taken a liking to him, and now warn him whenever Jessa is approaching. He lets Ssleestak sleep in the //Thunderbird// as often as he wants and starts replicating small noise machines for any member of the crew who misses the sound of the warp core.
-==== The Tell-Tale Knife. ====
+==== The Tell-Tale Knife ====
-For her part, Jessa spends the six days with her office hours open for any of her patients, but also tries to hunt Phillip down. Realizing that he's become skilled at dodging her, Jessa decides to try an alternate route. When she is alone in the counselor’s office on Friday, she opens her desk and pulls out a small stasis box containing the blade Phillip was holding when he returned from the future. She asks, “Sola, can you identify this?” The AI scans the blade and replies, //“That is a Capellan dagger. Do you see that strange scuff mark just below the hilt? That's actually a clan glyph. The Akaar clan – the clan of Leonard James Akaar.”// Jessica asks about the history of the Akaar clan, but Sola concedes, //“Capellan culture and history follows an oral tradition. This means it is not always accurate or reliable, I'm afraid.”//
+For her part, Jessa spends the six days with her office hours open for any of her patients, but also tries to hunt Phillip down. Realizing that he's become skilled at dodging her, Jessa decides to try an alternate route. When she is alone in the counselor's office on Friday, she opens her desk and pulls out a small stasis box containing the blade Phillip was holding when he returned from the future. She asks, "Sola, can you identify this?" The AI scans the blade and replies, //"That is a Capellan dagger. Do you see that strange scuff mark just below the hilt? That's actually a clan glyph. The Akaar clan – the clan of [[trek:characters:akaar|Leonard James Akaar]]."// Jessa asks about the history of the Akaar clan, but Sola concedes, //"Capellan culture and history follows an oral tradition. This means it is not always accurate or reliable, I'm afraid."//
-Jessa nods and then brings the box to sickbay. Since she kept the blade in the stasis box, the blood on it is still fresh. She-Who-Swims slithers out to see what she needs, and Jessa asks, “Can you analyze the blood on this?” The Arcadian frowns but complies. She takes the blade and runs a few tests on the blood before returning it to Jessa and stating, “Thanks to unique blood types and markers, the blood belongs to Peel Atuun’s father.” Jessa rears back in surprise and confusion, and She-Who-Swims notes the incident in her log and then promptly forgets this conversation ever happened. Jessa decides that that is a mighty fine idea, and she heads back to the office after placing the blade back in stasis box. She sides the stasis box into her drawer, and lets it sit for a day. Finally, on Sunday, she tells Armina about it.
+Jessa nods and then brings the box to sickbay. Since she kept the blade in the stasis box, the blood on it is still fresh. [[trek:characters:swims|She-Who-Swims]] slithers out to see what she needs, and Jessa asks, "Can you analyze the blood on this?" The Arcadian frowns but complies. She takes the blade and runs a few tests on the blood before returning it to Jessa and stating, "Thanks to unique blood types and markers, the blood belongs to Peel Atuun's father." Jessa rears back in surprise and confusion, and She-Who-Swims notes the incident in her log and then promptly forgets this conversation ever happened. Jessa decides that that is a mighty fine idea, and she heads back to the office after placing the blade back in stasis box. She sides the stasis box into her drawer, and lets it sit for a day. Finally, on Sunday, she tells [[trek:characters:armina|Armina]] about it.
+<WRAP hide>
+=====Summary=====
+Ssleestak brings Kivo to the nodule manifestation and then to main engineering. Kivo taps into the master systems display and reveals the Dai’Loq technology and programming. She discovers Sola and realizes the nanites are operating with a future operating system. Jen accesses the data on the stasis pod and discovers this man was abducted in 2365 but has been continually rejected by the Dai’Loq. Three nodules jump to the bridge and repair flight control. Saval reveals the man in the stasis box in Andrew Deelor, an agent of SI and one of Bjornson’s most hated foes – and makes it clear she supports Bjornson in this. Mel declares this is now SI’s problem and Saval takes the stasis box to her office. The nodules jump to tactical. Kivo deactivates Jace Fortis’s modifications and the EPS grid stabilizes immediately by ten percent. Phillip brings up concerns if they lose Jen, so Kivo ties the nanites to Sola. She meets Mel privately and reveals some additional upgrades – the ability to track Questoria agents with internal sensors. Kivo departs with her bodyguards after taking her mask off for Ssleestak. Jessa helps Zug choose clothing, despite the clashing shades. The //Solstice// receives messages of thanks from many Tizit citizens and one from Matriarch M’Greer of the N’Dari, and Mel sends a text message to Zivan. The Starfleet flotilla departs Kordikar, the //Solstice// under tow. The first four days of their journey is quiet, although Jessa learns the truth about the Capellan blade.
+===== =====
+</WRAP>
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-[[{}trek:solstice:recap:378_act_1|Act 1 =>]]
+[[{}trek:solstice:recap:38_act_0|Episode: 38: Prologue =>]]
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+{{tag>star_trek solstice recap}}

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