Evening Rendezvous

Posted on Mon Aug 16th, 2010 @ 9:09am by Vice Admiral Iluvar & Commander Earlond & Commander Christopher McNeil & Commander Fala Awen & Commander Michael Evans M.D. & Lieutenant John Forest & Lieutenant JG Malia Jacy & Lieutenant JG Hannah Andeti

Mission: Episode 1.2 - "A House Divided"
Location: Main Bridge, USS Pandora
Timeline: Day 17, 1842

ON: [[Main Bridge, USS Pandora, Day 17, 1842]]

Ensign Johnson (NPC) looked down at his screen and smirked slightly as he spoke up towards the center of the bridge. "Ladies and Gentlemen, Pandora spaceflight would like to welcome you back to Federation space." he said cheerfully, then adding, "Finally." under his breath.

A small smile tugged at the corners of Iluvar's mouth. He was pleased to see that the young helmsman was at least attempting to keep in good spirits, despite all that had happened. Then again, the crew of the Pandora, especially those whom had served aboard the Tethys, had already been through a lot together.

Checking the tactical readings from her console, Awen turned towards Iluvar, "Sir, the Seras is maintaining their position on the Romulan side of the border." The Bajoran wasn't all that surprised; she hadn't expected them to cross over into Federation space. She also didn't expect them to stay for very long, though. Her instincts told her the Seras would be returning to look for the D'Kar.

A fleeting mental image of the Romulans staring out a viewport waving goodbye flashed across Malia's mind and made her chuckle. An alert from her console pushed it away. "Sir, someone's feeling chatty."

"Who is it now?" Earlond asked. If it was another Romulan ship, he was going to be most displeased.

"That would be the USS Intrepid Sir," Mali smiled at the XO, fingers poised to open the channel at his nod.

Raising an eyebrow slightly, Iluvar turned his attention to the main viewscreen. Their apparent failure to show up for the rendezvous with the Seras had no doubt been brought to the attention of fleet operations for the region. It was quite possible that the Intrepid had been intentionally diverted to locate them. Regardless, it would be best to answer their fellow vessel’s hail. “Onscreen,” Iluvar said.

A moment later, the starfield was replaced by a view of the Intrepid’s bridge, which seemed to be busier than the Pandora’s. The center of the image focused on a middle-aged man and a young woman who were both seated in the chairs at the center of the bridge. They exchanged a glance with one another and Iluvar could see that this was no chance meeting. The Intrepid had been diverted by someone to come looking for the Pandora.

=^= Good evening admiral =^= the man said in a neutral tone.

“The same to you, Captain,” Iluvar replied with a gentle smile, “I’m afraid I must apologize for the circumstances of our strange disappearance.” Though he had never met the man personally, he was aware of the short time that Captain Benjamin Edwards (NPC) had served as executive officer of the 11th Fleet. Just seeing him in the center chair of his own bridge, it was clear to Iluvar that Edwards was infinitely more comfortable out in the field than he was behind a desk.

=^= I’m sure there were a few higher up who were a little concerned =^= Ben said casually, =^= They’ll be happy to hear that you’ve returned to us, safe and sound. =^=

"No more happy than we are to report it," Mali mumbled with a slight grin.

Awen raised an eyebrow. They hadn't seemed all that concerned when they sent the Luna class vessel into Romulan space. She glanced over at the Operations Officer, but said nothing about the young woman's oddly cheery demeanor.

Malia caught Awen's glance and returned it with a friendly smile. Having returned back to some measure of safety, the Ops officer couldn't help but be in a good mood. While she felt for those poor Romulan colonists, she was thankful that the crew of the Pandora, and the ship herself for that matter, had come out of the whole experience still intact.

Noticing Awen's glance, Earlond also saw the seemingly happy Operations officer and nodded slightly. While he himself didn't show it, he understood the relief many of the crew were feeling as they returned to Federation space, especially with the appearance of another Federation ship.

Eventually Awen managed to look over at Malia and give her a hint of a smile and nod. She couldn't bring herself to smile...she was NOT a smiley person. Generally she was more serious and when she did smile, it was more of a smirk.

"If you'd like, Captain, we can give you what we have on the status of the border," Earlond offered to Edwards.

=^= Thank you, commander, =^= Edwards said appreciatively, =^= Any insight you may be able to provide us would be most welcome. We'll see what we can do about getting you the information we've been able to gather up. That way, it will at least be a fair exchange. =^=

Curious as to what exactly the Intrepid's Captain had to tell them, Awen tapped in an automatic tactical scan sequence. It was second nature to her by now and she didn't even need to look down at the console. She wondered if there was information StarFleet had that hadn't been shared with the Pandora prior to their little field trip.

Andeti shifted in her seat and focused for a moment to strengthen her mental blocks. She had never felt the crew more frustrated and annoyed than they were now and while the return to Federation space at least eased the uncertainty it would only take time and an increased number of counseling sessions for things to return to normal. She checked her schedule and reminded herself that she would likely be getting very little sleep over the next few days.

"I'm sure my people will appreciate anything you might be able to give us, captain," Iluvar replied, "If you need anything else, we should be in the area for a few days." Until they received their new assignment, there was no reason they couldn't stick around for a few days and help keep an eye on things.

=^= Then I wish you luck =^= Edwards said =^= Intrepid out. =^=

The Intrepid's bridge vanished from the viewscreen, replaced by the starry view that surrounded the Pandora. She moved slowly through space along the Federation side of the border, her sensors constantly sweeping the space around her for anything that might be of interest.

As her console beeped, Awen looked through the information and said, "Admiral, thus far, all's quiet. The only ships registering on tactical sensors besides us are the Intrepid and Seras." The Bajoran wasn't entirely surprised by that, and it wasn't exactly vital information to pass on since nothing was happening, but it was all she had. It at least indicated that they shouldn't have too many additional surprises for the time being, at least if they stayed in the area.

"Very well," Iluvar said, tugging slightly at his uniform jacket to get it back into place. He settled back into his chair and watched the stars on the viewscreen for a moment as they passed by slowly. "Mr. Johnson (NPC)," he continued, turning his attention to the young man at the helm, "plot a steady course along our side of the Neutral Zone."

"Aye sir," Johnson replied as he input the instructions into the helm. At the simple touch of a button, the Pandora's navigational computers processed the information and plotted a stable course along the invisible border that divided the Federation from the Romulans. Just on the other side of that border was a house divided.

OFF

Rear Admiral Iluvar
Commanding Officer
USS Pandora

Commander Earlond
Executive Officer
USS Pandora

Commander Christopher McNeil
Chief Intelligence Officer/Mission Advisor
USS Pandora

Lieutenant Commander Fala Awen
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Pandora

Lieutenant JG Malia Jacy
Assistant Chief Operations Officer
USS Pandora

Lieutenant JG Hannah Andeti
Chief Counselor
USS Pandora

and

Ensign Johnson (NPC)
Flight Control Officer
USS Pandora
Played by: Lt. Forest